The Chinese NDRC investigates and punishes pricing conduct in the tourism industry

On 29 September 2013, the NDRC announced that it had conducted a nationwide investigation into pricing conduct in the tourism industry this year. The NDRC, together with its local authorities in Hainan, Yunnan, and other popular tourist destinations investigated price alliances established by tourist shops, hotels, and travel agencies; price fraud committed by tourist shops; sales dumping and non-compliance with price undertakings by travel agencies; and other typical cases. The investigation resulted in four decisions, and 39 tourism-related businesses were sanctioned pursuant to either the Price Law or the AML. Aggregate fines of more than RMB 18 million were imposed.