Lijiang suspends fraudulent travel agencies

Seven travel agencies have been ordered to suspend operations from March 2 to 15 for rectifications by the tourism development committee of Lijiang, Yunnan province.

The order was issued on March 2 by the authority of the Quality Supervision and Law Enforcement of Tourism Office.

Unreasonably low prices were given for a one-day tour of Lashi Lake on Taobao, Chinese largest online shopping website. Some agencies even made false claims of being one of the "top 500 Chinese travel enterprises” to bait tourists.

Additional five souvenir shops were also punished for price gouging, receiving mountains of complaints and refund requests.

“Actions like this will be continued to improve the image of Lijiang”, said Li Zhaogang, vice director of Lijiang’s tourism development committee.

Thirty-five million people visited Lijiang last year, contributing to over 70 percent of the city’s economic growth.

Travel agencies and souvenir shops are ordered to suspend operations on March 2 for rectification by the tourism development committee in Lijiang, Yunnan province. [Photo/ Xinhuanet.com]

Travel agencies and souvenir shops are ordered to suspend illegal activities in Lijiang, Yunnan province from March 2 to 15. [Photo/ Xinhuanet.com]