“For our 14-day U.S. tour on October 4, our total price has gone up by about 3,000 yuan, with all optional and service fees included.” Interviews with multiple travel agencies yesterday revealed that the influence of the Travel Law, set to take effect on October 1, has been felt early,JiangsuProvince has seen a widespread increase in outbound tour prices for National Day travel.
The Nanjing Tourism Association’s Travel Agency Branch held a press conference a couple of days ago, releasing recommended association prices for several popular outbound tour products after the implementation of the Travel Law. Based on these guidelines, many outbound tour operators have adjusted their prices. For example, a 6-day Thailand tour has risen from around 4,000 yuan to 7,200 yuan; an 8-day Taiwan island loop tour has increased from 4,900 yuan to 7,500 yuan; a 3-country Europe tour (France, Switzerland, Italy) has gone up from around 13,000 yuan to 17,500 yuan; and an 8-day Australia tour has risen from 13,800 yuan to 17,900 yuan. “For our October 4 tour covering the U.S. East and West Coasts plus Hawaii, the total price including all optional and service fees is 24,700 yuan, whereas previously the price without those was 21,700 yuan,” said Huang Guanghe, manager of the American Division at the Outbound Center of Jiangsu International Travel Service, yesterday. After careful consideration, they only increased the original quote by 3,000 yuan. “In reality, we haven’t raised it enough—we’re mainly considering the psychological comfort of travelers. Some travel agencies in Shanghai are planning to quote as high as 30,000 yuan for the same route, which deters many travelers from booking. As the Travel Law has just taken effect in October, we plan to stabilize the market first and see how it reacts. After all, we’ve already secured flight seats, and not selling them would result in even greater losses.”
Pan Wenjun, deputy general manager of Jiangsu Youth Travel Service, explained that removing shopping stops, optional activities, and service fees—while incorporating all costs into the quoted price—is beneficial for both travelers and legitimate travel agencies. Previously, those “hidden” fees added up to amounts that were definitely not lower than the post-increase quotes. Moreover, avoiding so-called designated shopping spots helps travelers steer clear of potentially buying low-quality, overpriced goods that could lead to bigger losses.
The Travel Law, which takes effect on October 1, imposes strict regulations on travel agencies arranging shopping stops at designated locations, organizing separately charged tourist activities, or tour guides soliciting tips from tourists. Violations will be severely punished, prompting travel agencies to adjust their pricing accordingly.
The Nanjing Tourism Association’s Travel Agency Branch held a press conference a couple of days ago, releasing recommended association prices for several popular outbound tour products after the implementation of the Travel Law. Based on these guidelines, many outbound tour operators have adjusted their prices. For example, a 6-day Thailand tour has risen from around 4,000 yuan to 7,200 yuan; an 8-day Taiwan island loop tour has increased from 4,900 yuan to 7,500 yuan; a 3-country Europe tour (France, Switzerland, Italy) has gone up from around 13,000 yuan to 17,500 yuan; and an 8-day Australia tour has risen from 13,800 yuan to 17,900 yuan. “For our October 4 tour covering the U.S. East and West Coasts plus Hawaii, the total price including all optional and service fees is 24,700 yuan, whereas previously the price without those was 21,700 yuan,” said Huang Guanghe, manager of the American Division at the Outbound Center of Jiangsu International Travel Service, yesterday. After careful consideration, they only increased the original quote by 3,000 yuan. “In reality, we haven’t raised it enough—we’re mainly considering the psychological comfort of travelers. Some travel agencies in Shanghai are planning to quote as high as 30,000 yuan for the same route, which deters many travelers from booking. As the Travel Law has just taken effect in October, we plan to stabilize the market first and see how it reacts. After all, we’ve already secured flight seats, and not selling them would result in even greater losses.”
Pan Wenjun, deputy general manager of Jiangsu Youth Travel Service, explained that removing shopping stops, optional activities, and service fees—while incorporating all costs into the quoted price—is beneficial for both travelers and legitimate travel agencies. Previously, those “hidden” fees added up to amounts that were definitely not lower than the post-increase quotes. Moreover, avoiding so-called designated shopping spots helps travelers steer clear of potentially buying low-quality, overpriced goods that could lead to bigger losses.
The Travel Law, which takes effect on October 1, imposes strict regulations on travel agencies arranging shopping stops at designated locations, organizing separately charged tourist activities, or tour guides soliciting tips from tourists. Violations will be severely punished, prompting travel agencies to adjust their pricing accordingly.