VI
EN
According to reports, this group of tourists is from Liaoning Province and was participating in a tour in Yunnan organized by Liaoning Youde International Travel Service Company. Each tourist paid 3,979 yuan (approximately $551) for the trip.
However, upon being taken to a mattress store owned by Taisi Dika Sleep Technology Company, the tourists were pressured by staff to buy products. When they refused, they were locked inside the store and not allowed to leave.
Chinese tourists visit and shop at a shopping mall in Paris, France. Photo: Ed Alcock/The New York Times.
The incident lasted for several hours until authorities intervened. After an investigation, the authorities decided to fine Taisi Dika and the tour guide of the group.
This incident has attracted public attention and sparked outrage. Many have expressed concern about the coercion of tourists to make purchases and have called on local authorities to take strict measures to prevent such practices.
Tourists were sitting and lying all over the mattress shop.
There were staff members standing guard nearby, preventing them from leaving.
This is not the first time Chinese tourists have been forced to make purchases. In February 2024, a family of five was kicked off a tour bus for refusing to buy a gold bracelet worth 50,000 yuan (approximately $7,000). In August 2023, a tour guide in southwestern China was also investigated after being accused of threatening tourists into buying things.
The practice of forcing tourists to buy goods is becoming a serious problem in China. Authorities need to take strong measures to address these practices and raise awareness among tourists about their rights.
