Tourism - Travel Agency Sector
Updated: 2006-04-18 16:48
Travel Agency Sector's WTO Commitments
1.Limitations on market access
Foreign services suppliers who meet the following conditions are permitted to
provide services in the form of joint venture travel agencies and tour operators
in the holiday resorts designated by the Chinese government and in the cities of
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi'an upon accession:
1). A travel agency and tour operator mainly engaged in travel
business
2). Annual worldwide turnover exceeds US$ 40 million. The registered
capital of joint venture travel agency/tour operator shall be no less than 4
million yuan. Within three years after China's accession, the registered capital
shall be no less than 2.5 million yuan. Within three years after accession
foreign majority ownership will be permitted. Within six years after accession,
wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries will be permitted and geographic restrictions
will be removed.
2. The business scope of the travel agency/ tour operator is as follows:
1).Travel and hotel accommodation services for foreign travelers which can be
made directly with transportation and hotel operators in China covering such
operations;
2).Travel services and hotel accommodation services for domestic
travelers which can be made directly with transportation and hotel operators in
China covering such operations;
3). Conducting of tours within China for both
domestic and foreign travelers;
4).Travelers check cashing services within
China.
Within six years after accession, there will be no restriction on the
establishment of branches of the joint venture travel agency/tour operator and
the requirement on registered capital of foreign-invested travel agency/tour
operator will be the same as that of Chinese travel agency/tour operator.
3. Limitations on national treatment
None joint ventures or wholly-owned travel agencies and tour operators are
permitted to engage in the activities of Chinese traveling abroad and to Hong
Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Chinese Taipei.
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