MCT and NFRA Warn Against Consumer Rights Infringements in the Name of “Insurance Client Travel”

In response to schemes luring consumers into irregular tour groups under names such as “insurance client travel subsidies” or “free trips from insurers,” the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the financial regulator issued a risk alert advising consumers to verify events, choose qualified agencies and sign written package tour contracts.

Recently, schemes that falsely advertise “insurance client travel subsidies” or “free trips from insurers” to lure consumers into irregular tour groups have infringed consumer rights and disrupted the tourism market. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Financial Regulatory Administration therefore issued a risk alert.

The alert lists common tactics such as false operator qualifications, low-price lures, non-compliant contracting and hidden itinerary traps involving forced shopping, and advises consumers to verify events, choose qualified travel agencies and sign written package tour contracts.

(Based on the official release by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.)