Better tourist services needed

The need for travel agencies to raise their rates is understandable after the Tourism Law banned them from including the "compulsory consumption" clause in their package. But if they charge more, then travel agencies have to deliver better services, says an article in Guangzhou Daily. Excerpts:

The Tourism Law, which comes into effect from Oct 1, is good news, because it will protect the rights and interests of tourists, regulate the tourism industry and promote its healthy development. The law bans "compulsory consumption" - a certain extra amount every tourist availing of a travel agency's services has to spend which helps the latter make additional profits.

So it's reasonable for travel agencies to increase their rates to "make up for their loss", as many travel agencies in Zhengzhou, Henan province, have already done for the National Day holidays. But in exchange, travel agencies should accordingly provide better services to tourists.

People have been criticizing travel agencies for forcing tourists to indulge in "compulsory consumption", providing poor services and even cheating tourists. Recently, a tour guide in Beijing threatened to stab some tourists who refused to buy souvenirs. Such incidents have tarnished the image of China's tourism industry.

Therefore, the implementation of Tourism Law should focus on two aspects: to ensure tour guides are qualified enough to deal with tourists by making it mandatory for them to pass an assessment exam, and to strictly regulate travel agencies.

(China Daily 09/10/2013 page9)