Sanya to reward whistle blowers for reporting tourist fraud

Sanya is going to reward citizens who report tourist fraud on the popular tropical island, up to 50,000 yuan ($8,080), starting next year, according to the local authorities.

Two complaint hotlines have been set for the public to disclose problems in the island's tourist industry, typically legal taxis, unscrupulous merchants and kickbacks.

Starting from 1,000 yuan, the reward can go up to 50,000 yuan if the complaint is followed by a revoked business license.

Sanya, an internationally renowned tourist destination in Hainan, has seen a growing number of disappointed tourists and has received nationwide criticism for price gouging and tourist fraud in recent years.