Yesterday, the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Bureau appeared on the Guangdong Voice Hotline, where enthusiastic citizens called in to complain about their experiences during trips. Among them, Ms. Zhao, a resident of Guangzhou, encountered conflicts with a local tour guide and tourism police while traveling independently abroad, yet found herself unable to seek justice, leaving her feeling deeply wronged. Nowadays, more and more people opt for independent travel because it’s convenient, cost-effective, and allows for greater freedom. But when independent travelers face disputes overseas and hope to protect their rights, they often encounter significant challenges. So, how can this issue be resolved?
Recently, Ms. Zhao had visited a certain country more than 10 times, so she was very familiar with it. On her most recent trip with friends, she chose independent travel in order to have a more flexible schedule. She complained to reporters that, because she speaks English well, she translated the attraction introductions for her companions at one scenic spot. This small act was perceived by a nearby tour guide as “unlicensed guiding,” which then attracted tourism police who questioned her for allegedly violating the country’s law “prohibiting foreigners from acting as guides,” leading to a conflict. Ms. Zhao tried to seek help from tourism authorities and other institutions to protect her rights, but received no response.
So, can tourism authorities actually help outbound independent travelers protect their rights? And if you suffer harm while traveling abroad, can you file a complaint with tourism authorities?
Yang Rongsen, Director of the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Bureau, stated that as a large number of Chinese tourists travel abroad, they indeed encounter different problems in different countries. Unlike package tour travelers, whose rights can be protected by seeking help from their travel agencies when infringed upon, independent travelers do face greater difficulties in safeguarding their rights. Travelers can approach Chinese embassies or consulates abroad to report their situations, or report back in China to tourism authorities, who will then liaise with relevant overseas institutions for coordination. The tourism authorities serve as a bridge, but China’s “Tourism Law” cannot be enforced abroad.
Yang Rongsen advises independent travelers planning to go abroad to do some homework in advance, familiarizing themselves with local laws and regulations to avoid unnecessary trouble. He particularly reminds travelers not to casually sign contracts with unfamiliar travel agencies during their trips.
Xiamen Lang, a well-known online commentator and reviewer, suggested that the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Bureau establish a mechanism for handling sudden tourism-related incidents, learning from the practices of the Hong Kong Tourism Board by coordinating across regions and departments, to ensure that travelers from Guangdong receive adequate protection overseas and to improve the image of Guangdong’s tourism services.