Interim Regulations on the Administration of Tourist Agencies

Interim Regulations on the Administration of Tourist Agencies

May 11, 1985

Article 1 These Regulations are formulated to strengthen the administration of tourist agencies, to protect the lawful rights and interests of tourists, and to promote the development of the tourist industry.

Article 2 "Tourist agencies" (or tourist companies, or other similar organizations of the same nature; the same below) refers to those enterprises which are established according to law, have the status of legal persons, are engaged in soliciting and receiving tourists and in organizing tourist activities, and conduct business accounting independently.

Article 3 Tourist agencies shall, in accordance with the principle of expanding the friendly contacts among peoples, enriching the socialist cultural life and promoting the prosperity of socialist tourist economy, conduct operational activities for the advancement of socialist spiritual civilization and material civilization.

Article 4 The tourism administration department shall, in its administration of tourist agencies, adopt the policy of unified leadership, graded administration, and decentralized operations.

Article 5 The following terms used in these Regulations, except as otherwise provided in the articles of these Regulations, shall convey the meanings as defined below:
1. "Solicit" refers to the efforts made by a tourist agency in carrying out publicity and promotion activities both at home and abroad, as well as the organizational work so involved, in accordance with the scope of business approved by the competent authorities.
2. "Receive" refers to the operational activities of a tourist agency which, at the request of tourists, include making travel plans and arrangements for meals, accommodation, transportation and sightseeing.
3. "Tourism administration department" refers to the National Tourism Administration and the tourism bureaus in various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, as well as the corresponding administrative organs in municipalities and counties.

Article 6 Tourist agencies shall be divided into three categories according to the scope of their business:
Category 1: Tourist agencies that handle such business as both soliciting tourists abroad and making arrangements for foreigners, overseas Chinese, compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to come to China, or to return to China or China's inland, for a visit or sightseeing;
Category 2: Tourist agencies that do not solicit tourists abroad, but handle such tourist business as making travel arrangements for those foreigners, overseas Chinese, compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, who are received by tourist agencies of Category 1 or by other departments with relevance to external affairs.
Category 3: Tourist agencies that handle domestic tourist business for Chinese citizens.

Article 7 Tourist agencies of Category 1 and Category 2 may register and commence operations only under the following prerequisites:
1.
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