Shanghai sees growing consumer complaints during Spring Festival holiday

SHANGHAI - Shanghai reported increased consumer complaints on the city's service sector during this year's Spring Festival holiday, local authorities said Friday.

During the week-long holiday starting from Feb 15, the Shanghai Consumer Council received 517 consumer complaints, with about 70 percent for services.

Among the complaints, 112 were over transport and tourist attraction tickets, up 27.3 percent year on year, and 79 complaints were about online hotel bookings, up 41.4 percent.

Meanwhile, according to a report released by the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, the number of complaints over travel services rose 5.4 percent year on year.

Analysts said service quality had become a growing concern for Chinese consumers, who are spending more on tourism, cuisine and entertainment.