Tour Guide Administration Measures
The Tour Guide Administration Measures were adopted by the National Tourism Administration and took effect on January 1, 2018.
(Promulgated by Order No. 44 of the National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China. The "Measures for the Administration of Tour Guides" was deliberated and adopted at the 17th Director's Office Meeting of the National Tourism Administration on October 16, 2017, and takes effect on January 1, 2018.)
Article 1: In order to regulate the practice of tour guides, improve the quality of tour guide services, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of tour guides, and promote the healthy development of the tour guide profession, these Measures are formulated in accordance with laws and regulations such as the Tourism Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations on the Administration of Tour Guides, and the Regulations on Travel Agencies.
Article 2: These Measures apply to the licensing, administration, safeguarding, and incentivizing of tour guide practice.
Article 3: The State applies a licensing system to tour guide practice. Persons engaging in tour guide practice shall obtain a tour guide qualification certificate and a tour guide certificate.
The National Tourism Administration establishes a tour guide grading and assessment system, a star-rating evaluation system for tour guide services, and a national tourism supervision and service information system; tourism authorities at all levels implement dynamic supervision and services for tour guides through standardized and information-based means.
Article 4: Tourism industry organizations shall, in accordance with the law, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of tour guides, promote the professional development of tour guides, and strengthen self-discipline within the tour guide profession.
Travel agencies and other employers shall strengthen the management and training of tour guides, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of tour guides, and improve the quality of tour guide services.
Tour guides shall abide by professional ethics, improve their service level, and consciously safeguard the image of the tour guide profession.
Article 5: Various social institutions are supported and encouraged to actively promote outstanding role models in the tour guide profession, optimize the practice environment for tour guides, and promote the healthy and stable development of the tour guide profession.
Article 6: Only those who pass the tour guide qualification examination may obtain a tour guide qualification certificate.
(This article is compiled from publicly released materials of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; the original link is shown at the beginning of the article.)