Skiing in Yabuli in winter is a dream for many, who are drawn to the sport and fascinated by Yabuli’s unique charm. Yabuli is also our golden brand in ice and snow tourism... But what do visitors actually think of Yabuli? When reporters conducted follow-up investigations and gathered feedback, they found that, in the eyes of tourists, Yabuli has long been "that kind of place."
Tips Have Been Written into the “Travel Advisory”
A website reported that many people traveling to other places are accustomed to checking reviews and experiences from fellow travelers beforehand. The website introduced the “Yabuli Ski Resort and Holiday Area” with detailed information: “The Yabuli Ski Resort and Holiday Area is located in Shangzhi City in the eastern part of Heilongjiang Province, with the highest peak reaching an elevation of 1,374.8 meters... It is hailed as ‘China’s Davos.’” However, within the provided “advisory,” there was some alarming content—“During peak season, management issues such as ski coaches demanding high tips, difficulty renting ski equipment, and chaotic cable car queues have been observed. Visitors should be mentally prepared before going skiing to avoid unpleasant incidents affecting their trip and mood.”
Reporter’s Note: Out of the 94 comments posted by netizens, in terms of timing, negative reviews about tip demands and poor management became particularly concentrated after Yabuli gained fame. The earliest comment from a netizen was a positive review. Netizen “YTRIP” wrote: “For the first time immersed in the world of skiing, I was deeply moved by the beauty of the resort. Just after putting on my ski boots and trying a few runs, I took the cable car to the mountaintop. With the help of a coach, I experienced the thrill of speeding downhill. Then, just as a welcome snowfall greeted me, I truly felt a sense of happiness!” But this comment was posted on February 6, 2002.
Travel Agencies Complain About the Tip Issue
Ski coaches demanding tips leave visitors unhappy, and travel agencies feel wronged. Responsible persons and tour guides from travel agencies interviewed by reporters all said that tipping has almost become an industry “norm.” In Yabuli, the more ski coaches there are, the more sought-after they become. Many of them believe that extra payments from tourists should be considered as “paying for service.”
A person in charge of a travel agency in Harbin said: “Some ski coaches at resorts in Yabuli do ask for tips, and we tour guides often encounter this when leading groups. We advise tourists that tipping is entirely voluntary. But after paying the tips, tourists end up complaining about the guides and travel agencies, which makes us feel very wronged.”
A travel agency manager stated: “Ski coaches in Yabuli asking for tips is a common phenomenon we encounter in our business. Around New Year’s Day and Spring Festival this year, many tourists in our groups reported that some ski coaches used ‘subtle’ language to solicit tips during guided skiing, and sometimes even disappeared before the session ended. This practice has caused significant distress to our travel agency.”
Reporter’s Note: The investigation found that tourists who pay for coaching are mostly beginners who are hitting the slopes for the first time. They hope to have a coach by their side to enjoy skiing while reducing the fear of trying it for the first time. However, the vast majority of tourists believe that since the coaching fee has already been paid, tips should be given “based on appreciation,” and that if you’re “paying for service,” it must be worth the money.
Zhang Xiaochun, director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Tourism Quality Supervision and Management Office, said that coaches cannot forcibly collect tips, and using verbal inducements or other methods to obtain them is equivalent to robbery. Threatening tourists who refuse to pay, making them afraid to file complaints, is even more illegal. Once verified, tourism supervision departments will work with industrial and commercial authorities to impose severe penalties without leniency.
