Rather than eliminating what nowadays appears to be a business staple, a better solution lies in improvements in three areas, industry insiders say.

One measure is stiffer penalties for operators caught carrying out unscrupulous practices.

Other solutions would be better control of mainland travel agencies, with the help of the China National Tourism Association, and, most importantly, continuing to make mainland tourists more aware of their rights as travellers and consumers.

Last year, some 23 million visitors came to the SAR, of which around 12 million were from the mainland.

With mainland travellers such an important source of tourism income, the SAR's tourism chiefs are now scrambling for solutions.

As well as the punishments meted out, the SAR's Travel Industry Council is due to meet representatives from the CNTA shortly to discuss what other action can be taken.

An official surnamed Liu with Qinghai Provincial Tourism Administration admitted little could be done about the role of mainland travel agents.

"It is difficult for us to...prevent this weekend's case happening again.

"The current laws and regulations need to be improved, and consumers should not be fooled by a low price," he said.

But Liu added that if the agency was found to have violated rules, its licence could be revoked and other punishments issued.

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