With the National Day Golden Week approaching, many citizens are preparing to travel. In response, the Municipal Consumer Council issued its ninth consumer advisory of the year yesterday regarding travel consumption during the holiday period, reminding the public to pay attention to the following matters.
■ Enhance Safety Awareness When Traveling
The Municipal Consumer Council reminds consumers to remain vigilant about safety regardless of the travel method chosen during the Golden Week. Avoid blindly pursuing novelty or thrill-seeking, and never venture into unopened areas for hiking or exploration.
■ Don’t Forget to Sign a Written Contract
A travel contract is an important piece of evidence for consumers to protect their rights afterward. The Municipal Consumer Council reminds consumers that when signing a travel contract with a travel agency, the following should be ensured: (1) Use official templates such as the "Shanghai Domestic Travel Contract Model Text" or the "Shanghai Outbound Travel Contract." (2) The contract must clearly state details such as the travel itinerary, accommodation level, dining standards, and liability for breach of contract. Avoid using vague terms such as "quasi-X-star," "hotel built to X-star standards," or "luxury tour." (3) Promptly request modifications to any unfair standardized contract clauses attached by the operator in the contract annex. (4) After signing the contract, ask the operator to affix an official seal and keep it properly. In case of future disputes, it can serve as evidence for safeguarding your rights.
■ Pay Attention to Insurance Exclusion Clauses
The Municipal Consumer Council reminds consumers that there are currently various types and prices of travel insurance. When choosing travel insurance, be sure to select coverage based on your travel method, required coverage amount, and duration—not just based on price or coverage levels. Additionally, when purchasing and using insurance, read the relevant exclusion clauses carefully. Under these exclusions, even if the policyholder encounters an accident, the insurance company may still refuse to provide compensation.
■ Beware of Low-Price Travel Traps
Based on complaint trends during past National Day Golden Weeks, low-cost travel packages often come with hidden traps such as reduced itineraries, forced "bundled" paid activities, or pressure to shop at designated stores. The Municipal Consumer Council advises consumers to compare options carefully when selecting travel products. If travel products to roughly the same destinations vary significantly in price, be extra cautious—further compare the itineraries and included activities to avoid falling into low-price travel traps.