Digital forms aim to curb illegal operators

Travel agencies booking group trips to Hong Kong and Macao will be urged to use digital forms for government approval starting on Sept 1, in a move aimed at curbing illegal travel operators in Guangdong province that might cheat mainland tourists.

By the end of this year, all outbound tourism in groups will adpot digital forms only, the China National Tourism Administration said.

The move is a reflection that illegal travel operators have violated tourists' rights by accessing paper forms with official stamps from the black market, said Peng Zhikai, head of the administration's supervision and management division.