An article published by The Paper on November 13, 2026, reported 13 enforcement cases made public by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The cases concern unauthorized shopping stops and paid activities, misleading tour arrangements, and pressure on tourists to spend money. Local authorities imposed the penalties between April and September 2026.
Among the cases:
- Harbin, July: Authorities found that a guide assigned by Harbin Haohaiyo Travel Agency made remarks that amounted to indirect pressure on tourists to spend. The agency was fined 300,000 yuan and ordered to suspend operations for 90 days. The guide was fined 20,000 yuan and had their guide certificate suspended for 30 days.
- Chongqing, June: Chongqing Shasha International Travel Agency took two tourists to a silver-jewelry shop without their consent. The agency was fined 100,000 yuan and ordered to suspend operations for 15 days.
- Nanjing, April: Nanjing Zhongyou International Travel Agency accepted 61 tourists on a “zero tour fee” trip, concealed that an “experience center” was a shopping venue, and received shopping commissions. The agency was fined 100,000 yuan and ordered to suspend operations for 15 days.
- Guizhou, September: Guizhou Fangxiang Travel Agency added a shopping stop to a trip advertised as shopping-free, despite its absence from the contract and itinerary. The agency was fined 30,000 yuan and ordered to suspend operations for seven days.
- Inner Mongolia, September: Authorities found that Hulunbuir Daqian Travel Agency organized a tour below cost and used a guide’s paid-activity offer to put indirect pressure on tourists to participate. The agency was fined 30,000 yuan and ordered to suspend operations for three days.
The published cases cite provisions of China’s Tourism Law; the Harbin guide’s conduct was found to violate the rules governing tour guides. The listed penalties also included confiscation of unlawful proceeds, and some cases brought penalties for managers or other responsible staff.
