City fines 130 travel agents and hotels for violations

HCM CITY— Tourism inspectors in HCM City have fined more than 130 travel and hospitality firms a total of VNĐ2 billion (US$89,300) for various violations, according to the city Department of Tourism.

Thirty three travel agents, including four offering outbound tours, were hauled up for unlicensed operations and lack of qualified guides, chief inspector Nguyễn Văn Khâm said.

More than 100 hotels were fined for failing to reassess their star ratings and make an announcement about their operations.

Ten tour guides were fined for failure to produce lists of tourists, tour schedules and labour contracts.

The city has nearly 1,100 travel agents, including 578 that offer outbound tours.

Last year the inspectors fined 40 travel agents, 89 hotels and 19 tour guides more than VNĐ2.5 billion (US$111,600).

The department will continue to inspect travel agencies and tour guides to ensure a safe and healthy trip for tourists.

It will co-operate with the city Tourism Association and travel companies, airlines and the Sài Gòn Railway Company to ramp up domestic tourism promotion.

The city received more than 2.4 million international visitors in the first half of this year, a 12.2 per cent increase year-on-year, according to the department. —VN