Official: Tour agencies should pay deposits

BEIJING - A leader in the Hong Kong tourism industry has proposed that travel agencies pay deposit fees that will be set aside to compensate tourists harmed by abuses such as forced shopping, which subjects travelers to high-pressure sales techniques.

Lo Sui-on, executive director with China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Ltd, said recent disputes between Hong Kong tour guides and mainland travelers have roused concerns over the growth of the tourism industry.

"It is definitely a blow to Hong Kong's tourism brand, but we think the scandal also has a good side, since we need ways to deal with these cheap tours," said Lo, who is in Beijing for the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC).