The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong said Saturday that travel agencies which force tourists to shop will face severe punishments, including license suspension.

The council hopes the decision can help to resume the reputation of Hong Kong tourism industry by stopping the strange practice of forcing tourists to shop in order to balance the inadequate travel expenses.

The most recent example was that 12 mainland tourists from Qinghai were abandoned in Kowloon because they did not buy "enough goods."

Executive Director of the council Joseph Tung said travel agencies are forbidden from forcing tourists to shop and any agencies which break the rule will be suspended from doing business or deprived of license.

The tour guide who forced tourists from Qinghai to shop has reportedly returned his license. And the whole case is still under investigation.

Source: Xinhua