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UNWITTING Chinese tourists are forced to pay $ 10 to visit free public spaces such as Mission Bay or Western Springs in New Zealand by unscrupulous tour operators based in Auckland.
Tourists think they're doing a good deal by booking trips to New Zealand's Chinese apps, but they are asked to pay for free attractions such as parks, beaches and nature reserves.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment now advises travelers to do their research before booking trips to New Zealand An international student, Jenny Xu, said that her aunt , who had booked a day tour at $ 45 via an app based in China, ended up paying more. "She was told that if she did not pay the fees, she would not be allowed to get off the bus," Xu said.
"I found out a few days after the tour and told my aunt these places"
Another Chinese national, who has reserved a "personalized care" for $ 20 at the same time. Auckland Airport via a local Chinese online site, has been withheld. "
" The driver was very aggressive and insisted that I buy things from these stores because that's the only reason I've ever been in business. " was the cheapest in Auckland, "she said." Later, I found out what he was saying was not true. "
Jennifer Hand, Researcher at the University of Auckland, said she had seen tourists handing money to their guide while getting off a bus on a North Shore beach. "The women took off their high heels and walked on the beach, I guess they were paying for the privilege of feeling the sand."
Rebecca Heerdegen, acting for MBIE "Although we have not complained about tours that do not meet expectations, we always recommend Chinese visitors to choose an accredited tourist from the Tourism New Zealand website. "
" We advise all travelers to do their research before booking tours or other experiments.
"Viewing evaluation sites and comments from other clients may be a good idea."
Mr. Heerdegen stated that visitors could also point out operators who did not abide by the Tourism New Zealand Code of Conduct.
Tat Tsui, spokesman for the Chinese tour operators group, said that unauthorized operators China as an easy target
The group of about 20 is forming an association.
"Another big concern that we also have is that what they do Tsui says:" These operators do not have a registered company, whose vehicles do not have any certificate of aptitude, do not hold a license and are not responsible to anyone. "
Tsui said that" cross selling ""
"They try the tourists with initial fees, but then try to sell other products, honey souvenirs and health products, and sometimes even charge them for things that they are not supposed to do. "" New Zealand is a free country, they can do anything they want to attract customers, but they certainly can not be allowed to do it illegally and unlicensed. "
He believes that most unlicensed operators are international students from China , and most advertisements by unlicensed operators are repetitive ertored on China-based applications such as huangbaoche.com.
Tsui said his group had serious concerns about passenger safety and was planning to file a complaint.
Last month, Chinese tourists recorded the largest increase in the number of visitors to New Zealand, either 1200 or 7% more than in June 2017.
The Herald contacted an advertiser on a local Chinese website skykiwi.co.nz who listed Auckland Airport pickings of $ 20, and was quoted $ 40 for a ride to the CBD.
The advertiser said that he drove "a private car" and could do it cheaper than taxis or Uber because "there were no intermediaries involved . "
This story originally appeared on the NZ Herald and was reissued with permission.
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