On the 18th, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism issued a statement regarding the investigation into issues related to "low-price tours" in Yunnan, as reported by CCTV's "Financial Investigation." Multiple violations were confirmed, and the department plans to revoke the travel agency business operation licenses of four travel agencies and the tour guide licenses of three tour guides. Additionally, eight shopping venues involved have all been ordered to suspend operations for rectification.

Previously, *Financial Investigation* exposed problems with some "low-price tours" in Yunnan Province, including discrepancies between the actual itinerary and the advertised activities, hidden shopping stops, forced consumption, and last-minute price increases. The Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism subsequently organized relevant prefectures and cities to investigate the travel agencies, tour guides, and shopping venues involved.

The notices indicate that the online false advertising activities of Hubei Ailv Fentu International Travel Co., Ltd.'s Kunming branch have been verified, and its Travel Agency Business Operation License is to be revoked; the lending of its Travel Agency Business Operation License by Xishuangbanna Yunouye International Travel Co., Ltd. has been verified, and its Travel Agency Business Operation License is to be revoked, with a fine of 20,000 RMB imposed on the person in charge; and the designation of shopping venues by Kunming Xiangyue Chuncheng International Travel Co., Ltd. has been verified, and its Travel Agency Business Operation License is to be revoked.

Gao, a tour guide assigned by Lijiang Honghui Travel Agency Co., Ltd., was found to have engaged in deceptive and coercive practices towards tourists. The investigation confirms this, and it is proposed to revoke the travel agency's "Travel Agency Business Operation License" and Gao's "Tour Guide Certificate." Other leads regarding illegal activities have been transferred to the public security authorities. Zhashipei, another tour guide, was found to have coerced tourists into making purchases. His "Tour Guide Certificate" is proposed to be revoked, and other leads regarding illegal activities have been transferred to the public security authorities. Yi, a tour guide assigned by Kunming Xiangyue Chuncheng International Travel Agency, was found to have engaged in disguised forced shopping and reduced the quality of tourism services. Her "Tour Guide Certificate" is proposed to be revoked.

The investigations into the other two travel agencies involved are still ongoing. The business license of Shandong Future International Travel Agency Co., Ltd.'s Kunming branch was cancelled on July 21, 2026, and related leads are planned to be transferred for investigation and prosecution in accordance with regulations. No illegal or irregular business practices have been found with Yunnan Daiyu International Travel Agency Co., Ltd., and the investigation is ongoing.

The report also stated that eight shopping venues in Dali, Lijiang, and Xishuangbanna have been placed under investigation by local market supervision departments and have all suspended operations for rectification. Relevant penalty decisions will be made in accordance with legal procedures.

The cultural and tourism departments will collaborate with public security, transportation, market supervision, and tax departments to further investigate the actual controllers, behind-the-scenes manipulators, and ultimate beneficiaries involved in the case, and conduct a full-chain investigation and punishment of all links, including tour operators, local travel agencies, shopping stores, and online traffic-generating platforms. The eight shopping venues involved will be included as unqualified suppliers, and all travel agencies will be prohibited from including them in tour itineraries. (Source: Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism)