Right after the SARS epidemic in 2003 started so called “zero-fee” package tours because of the severe drop of travellers. Zero-fee tours are cheaper than the basic costs of transportation, accommodation and attraction tickets. In order to regain the losses, tour guides get high provisions from different shops.
This practice obviously damages the Chinese tourism market, says Shao Qiwei, director of the CNTA. From 2006 CNTA has taken action to end the illegal activity of travel agencies and tour guides, which lead to a total fine of RMB 20 million. Shao Qiwei also said that the CNTA will pursue their course to clean up the travel market of “zero-fee” package tours.
This is a good example why it will be very difficult for foreign travel companies to enter the price driven Chinese tourism market. The price seems to be one of the most important factors for Chinese tourists.
i too, encounter very bad experience during the last oct. golden week to Boracay Philippines, due to zero tour fare from shanghai travel not paying philippines agent, but i paid china agent in full! at the beautiful Boracay, my tall, old, lady tourguide which require the tourist to call her aunty is very rude, when we not buy dry mangos from her, she told us that i am cheapskate. when i reject her coconut milk, she said we have to buy, otherwise, no go airport. her name is pauline sy working in el sol tour agency, she said because china agency not pay philippines agent, that why we all have to buy from her? we even have to buy hot drinking water from Pacific Patio resort. Pauline Sy pocket all the money. very bad?please do not erase!