A new tourism regulation in China that has caused package tour companies to increase their prices could reduce the number of Chinese tourists visiting this country, the Thailand Business Information Centre in China says.
The regulation, which was invoked on Tuesday, bars tour operators from adding non-advertised extras to packaged tours and increasing tourists' expenses.
The costs of the packages must be all-inclusive, covering travel, accommodation, visa costs and tour guides. Violators will be fined.
According to the centre, the regulation has made some Chinese tour operators increase their package prices by almost double.
The centre reported that some tour companies have increased their prices for one-week trips to Thailand, Singapore or Malaysia from 6,000 yuan (30,600 baht) to 10,000 yuan.
The number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand may drop as a result, the centre said.