Authorities in China intend to keep close tabs on its misbehaving tourists abroad.
The China National Tourism Administration announced wide ranging measures involving law enforcement, customs officers, border control and even bank credit agencies in a bid to record all instances of inappropriate behaviour while overseas.
On their return to China, local authorities will work with misbehaving tourists to improve their conduct.
The agency said ‘tourism reflects on the country and the people’s image’, adding that due to the sheer number of negative media stories in recent months, ‘social supervision’ of tourists is needed.
Authorities will keep records of any incidents for up to two years and has previously threatened to take action in serious cases, but has not disclosed what this might entail.
Recent cases of tourists behaving badly include causing disturbances on public transport, including mid-air assault of flight crew, defacing historic landmarks and many cases of reckless driving on foreign roads.
Many have taken place in Thailand with authorities there resorting to issuing visitors with Chinese-language etiquette manuals.
