2015年CRI Tourist Sites Warned off Illegal Price Hike

 

A recent report from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences is suggesting the average prices at the top level scenic¹ spots in China average over 110-yuan per ticket.

This is more than most pay in other countries around the world.

"It's really expensive. Public opinions should be solicited² before price hikes and only with a nod from the public, could a rise be adopted."

"I can hardly afford a tour. I will go nowhere if the ticket prices are too high for me to afford."

Massive price hikes at scenic spots in China are on the verge³ this year.

This is because of a decision by the National Development and Reform Commission 8 years ago to limit price increases to every 3-years.

The last increase for most tourist spots was 2012.

Popular attractions, including the villages of Wuzhen in Zhejiang, Maijishan Grottoes in Gansu and the Silver Cave in Guangxi are said to be planning to increase their ticket prices by as much as 60-percent in the next few months.

Word of this is drawing ire from tourism officials.

Dai Bin⁴ with the China Tourism Academy says profiteering shouldn't be allowed at government-backed tourist sites.

"Earnings⁵ from ticket sales at tourist sites that feature natural scenery or cultural heritage should only be used to cover maintenance and operational costs. Operators of these sites should not profit through selling tickets since these are public assets."

A number of scams have also been uncovered ahead of the forthcoming holiday.

At the Shanhaiguan Pass on the Great Wall in Hebei, visitors have been paying 90 yuan for ticket, which is 30 yuan higher than a normal one.

It's been discovered staff there have been forcing people to buy the supplementary⁶ ticket, which is only meant to covers a visit to a theatre built in the area.

Han Li with the National Development and Reform Commission is one of those who took part in the investigation⁷.

"Our investigation has found it was collusion between the site's operator and a local travel agency that runs the theatre. The site can earn an extra 5 yuan from selling each ticket."

A nationwide campaign has been launched by the National Tourism Administration to regulate ticket prices at tourist attractions.

Punishments will be doled⁸ out for those found to be involved in fraud, unreasonable⁹ price adjustments or poor management.

For CRI, I'm Yu Yang.

1 scenic   

adj.自然景色的，景色优美的

参考例句：

• The scenic beauty of the place entranced the visitors.这里的美丽风光把游客们迷住了。
• The scenic spot is on northwestern outskirts of Beijing.这个风景区位于北京的西北远郊。

2 solicited   

v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求

参考例句：

• He's already solicited their support on health care reform. 他已就医疗改革问题请求他们的支持。 来自辞典例句
• We solicited ideas from Princeton University graduates and under graduates. 我们从普林斯顿大学的毕业生与大学生中征求意见。 来自辞典例句

3 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

4 bin   

n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件

参考例句：

• He emptied several bags of rice into a bin.他把几袋米倒进大箱里。
• He threw the empty bottles in the bin.他把空瓶子扔进垃圾箱。

5 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

6 supplementary   

adj.补充的，附加的

参考例句：

• There is a supplementary water supply in case the rain supply fails.万一主水源断了，我们另外有供水的地方。
• A supplementary volume has been published containing the index.附有索引的增补卷已经出版。

7 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

8 doled   

救济物( dole的过去式和过去分词 )； 失业救济金

参考例句：

• The food was doled out to the poor. 食品分发给了穷人。
• Sisco briskly doled out the United States positions on the key issues. 西斯科轻快地把美国在重大问题上的立场放了出去。

9 unreasonable   

adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的

参考例句：

• I know that they made the most unreasonable demands on you.我知道他们对你提出了最不合理的要求。
• They spend an unreasonable amount of money on clothes.他们花在衣服上的钱太多了。