Tourism industry needs tighter rules: Sanya mayor

Wang Yong, mayor of Sanya, a well-known city in South China Hainan province, said tourism in the city is facing many problems and the local government will implement more measures to regulate the troubled industry, Southern Metropolis Daily reported on Monday.

Tourism is the economic backbone of Sanya. From 2008 the number of tourists has grown by one million per year. Last year, the number peaked at 11 million. While the city has become a popular tourist site, its infrastructure and service standards have not satisfied the public, said the paper.

"We have already noticed the phenomenon of commissions on sales," said Wang. "The city government has investigated and prosecuted major offenders, and now we are working on a regulation which is expected soon."

According to Wang, price transparency is top of the regulation agenda.

"A standard contract will be made available to the public for reference concerning tourist businesses," said Wang.

Other measures to regulate the market include personnel management.

"Those who break the rules will be punished," he said.

Wang said any improvement in infrastructure would be limited by the government's budget.

"It would largely be depended on social investment," said Wang.