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6 White Paper on the Business Environment in China
for Mainland citizens, with the requirement that a deposit of by the State Council. In a report, the United Nations World
1.2 million yuan must be paid in order to obtain a license for Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hailed the document as a
the activity, among others. Wholly-foreign owned enterprises “landmark” will see the complete redefinition of tourism devel-
apparently remain prohibited from organizing outbound tours opment and management in the country, spark an increase in
for Mainland citizens, as no changes for that category are artic- Chinese outbound tourism and promote a greater distribution
ulated in the release.40 of the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits of
tourism.” The document also “presents a roadmap for restruc-
Draft Law to Combat “Sharp Practices by Travel Agents” turing the current paid leave system across China.”42
As of August 2012, the National People’s Congress was re-
New Direction in National Tourism Strategy
viewing a draft law that would “clearly [state] the rights of trav- In March 2013, China embarked on a new direction in
elers” which, if passed, would become the first-ever legislation
in the PRC to cover the tourism industry.41 its national tourism strategy when The Outline for National
Tourism and Leisure (2013-2020), which had been long
Interestingly, President Dai Bin of the China Tourism Acad- advocated by the China National Tourism Administration,
emy claims that “A motion for legislation was raised more than was issued by the State Council. In a report, the United
three decades ago, but the process was slow, partly because the Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hailed the
tourism industry is supervised by more than 100 government document as a “landmark” will see the complete redefinition of
organizations—and administrated by both central and local tourism development and management in the country, spark an
authorities.”41 increase in Chinese outbound tourism and promote a greater
distribution of the economic, socio-cultural and environmental
The gist of the draft is, again courtesy of China Daily: benefits of tourism.” The document also “presents a roadmap
for restructuring the current paid leave system across China.”42
The draft law sets operating standards for travel busi-
nesses and scenic areas, and prohibits travel agencies
from forcing tourists to purchase goods.
Tipping will be at the discretion of the tourist, it states.
The draft targets agencies offering so-called free tours,
or even incentive tours, where the traveler is given a
small amount of cash or a gift.
These tours operate on a kickback system. Tourists are
taken to shops at pre-determined sites where goods are
often sold at inflated prices, and the agency gets a kick-
back.41
Other stipulations include that “Ticket prices should fol-
low government pricing and any change in price should be an-
nounced to the public six months before implementation” and
also that “Scenic spots should control the maximum number of
tourists, to ensure safety, especially on public holidays.”41
As of December 5, 2012, no mention of the law beyond the
original reports of its draft form being read by the National Peo-
ple’s Congress could be found, either on China Daily’s website
or in a broader Google query for “china tourism law”.
New Direction in National Tourism Strategy
In March 2013, China embarked on a new direction in its
national tourism strategy when The Outline for National Tour-
ism and Leisure (2013-2020, which had been long advocated
by the China National Tourism Administration, was issued
220
for Mainland citizens, with the requirement that a deposit of by the State Council. In a report, the United Nations World
1.2 million yuan must be paid in order to obtain a license for Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hailed the document as a
the activity, among others. Wholly-foreign owned enterprises “landmark” will see the complete redefinition of tourism devel-
apparently remain prohibited from organizing outbound tours opment and management in the country, spark an increase in
for Mainland citizens, as no changes for that category are artic- Chinese outbound tourism and promote a greater distribution
ulated in the release.40 of the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits of
tourism.” The document also “presents a roadmap for restruc-
Draft Law to Combat “Sharp Practices by Travel Agents” turing the current paid leave system across China.”42
As of August 2012, the National People’s Congress was re-
New Direction in National Tourism Strategy
viewing a draft law that would “clearly [state] the rights of trav- In March 2013, China embarked on a new direction in
elers” which, if passed, would become the first-ever legislation
in the PRC to cover the tourism industry.41 its national tourism strategy when The Outline for National
Tourism and Leisure (2013-2020), which had been long
Interestingly, President Dai Bin of the China Tourism Acad- advocated by the China National Tourism Administration,
emy claims that “A motion for legislation was raised more than was issued by the State Council. In a report, the United
three decades ago, but the process was slow, partly because the Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hailed the
tourism industry is supervised by more than 100 government document as a “landmark” will see the complete redefinition of
organizations—and administrated by both central and local tourism development and management in the country, spark an
authorities.”41 increase in Chinese outbound tourism and promote a greater
distribution of the economic, socio-cultural and environmental
The gist of the draft is, again courtesy of China Daily: benefits of tourism.” The document also “presents a roadmap
for restructuring the current paid leave system across China.”42
The draft law sets operating standards for travel busi-
nesses and scenic areas, and prohibits travel agencies
from forcing tourists to purchase goods.
Tipping will be at the discretion of the tourist, it states.
The draft targets agencies offering so-called free tours,
or even incentive tours, where the traveler is given a
small amount of cash or a gift.
These tours operate on a kickback system. Tourists are
taken to shops at pre-determined sites where goods are
often sold at inflated prices, and the agency gets a kick-
back.41
Other stipulations include that “Ticket prices should fol-
low government pricing and any change in price should be an-
nounced to the public six months before implementation” and
also that “Scenic spots should control the maximum number of
tourists, to ensure safety, especially on public holidays.”41
As of December 5, 2012, no mention of the law beyond the
original reports of its draft form being read by the National Peo-
ple’s Congress could be found, either on China Daily’s website
or in a broader Google query for “china tourism law”.
New Direction in National Tourism Strategy
In March 2013, China embarked on a new direction in its
national tourism strategy when The Outline for National Tour-
ism and Leisure (2013-2020, which had been long advocated
by the China National Tourism Administration, was issued
220
