HEFEI, (PNA/Xinhua) — China’s first tourism law, in aiming to upgrade the country’s tourism industry, has caused travel agencies to raise prices, spurring more Chinese to become independent travelers.
Having learned that a travel agency’s fare for a six-day Thailand tour has surged by 2,000 yuan (about 325 U.S. dollars) following the new law, which took effect on Oct. 1, Li Qianying and her friend are planning to backpack around the country instead.
“Two girls looking for experienced backpackers to pool travel expenses in Thailand this November,” posted Li, a university student studying in east China’s Anhui Province.
Outbound tourism products and domestic long-distance tours have seen a significant increase in price since September as we approach the effective date of the tourism law, which will more tightly regulate the market in a bid to exorcise unscrupulous operators and practices.
“The prices for tours to the Republic of Korea, Japan and southeast Asian countries have increased by up to 80 percent during Golden Week [Oct 1-7] compared to the National Day holiday last year,” said Xia Jinju, marketing director of Anhui Global International Travel Co. Ltd.