Beijing intensifies crackdown on tourism-related offenses

As summer vacation is approaching, Beijing police have intensified efforts to crack down on illegal activities in tourism field, with detention of 219 people, China Central Television reported.

Since the Beijing Public Security Bureau launched a spring and summer safety campaign in April, a total of 17 people suspected of committing tourism-related offenses have been detained, and 202 others have been given administrative punishments, according to the report on Thursday.

It said that police officers have conducted patrols across the capital more than 390 times during the ongoing campaign, inspecting over 880 hotels, shops and travel agencies.

The punishments were mainly given to those who provided illegal tour guides and illegally sold tickets for hot scenic spots, it added.

For example, a group of 14 scalpers were taken into custody, and 60 others without tour guide qualifications were caught, it said.

In addition to the intensified crackdown, the bureau has also strengthened inspection on shops where tourism disputes had occurred in the past, requiring one or two police officers on duty to ensure that conflicts are handled and resolved promptly, it said.

Furthermore, the bureau has organized 23,000 people engaged in the tourism industry citywide to learn cases, guiding travel agencies and tour guides to regulate their behaviors in business, it added.