China targets online tour firms in wake of Phuket tragedy
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China targets online tour firms in wake of Phuket tragedy

Navy officers tend to one of the passengers rescued after the sinking of the tour boat Phoenix off Phuket on July 4. (Royal Thai Navy photo)
Navy officers tend to one of the passengers rescued after the sinking of the tour boat Phoenix off Phuket on July 4. (Royal Thai Navy photo)

BEIJING: China has drafted sweeping regulations targeting online travel agencies based in the country after July’s deadly boating accident in Phuket fuelled claims of lax oversight, according to sources familiar with the plan.

The regulation by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism would require online travel providers to improve rescue and emergency plans, better vet and manage their on-ground service providers, purchase liability insurance, and protect clients’ personal information, said a source who asked not to be identified.

It would represent Beijing’s first concerted attempt to monitor online tourism outfits, which have proliferated as Chinese tourists fan out across the globe.

While bricks-and-mortar travel agencies are forced to purchase liability insurance under current law, those regulations don’t extend to online platforms. Some web providers don’t hold government-issued operating licences or liability insurance, the source said.

Millions of Chinese tourists are expected to hit the road in the coming days as the country begins an annual “Golden Week” break to mark its National Day holiday on Oct 1.

Before the regulation can be implemented, Chinese law stipulates that it must solicit opinions from the public.

A boat carrying Chinese tourists capsized off Phuket in July, leaving 47 dead and drawing harsh criticism in China over the lack of accountability for internet operators. The Beijing News reported that 121 of the 127 Chinese citizens involved in the accident had booked their trips via online tour platforms.

China is one of the world’s fastest growing online-travel markets. The major players in its web tourism industry include Ctrip.com, Tuniu Corp, and Fliggy, the travel arm of Alibaba.

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