A local resident surnamed Li joined a five-day package tour to Thailand together with 10 other friends Jan. 31 last year. However, the travel agent arranging the tour failed to confirm the seats on a flight as scheduled and left the clients waiting at Shenzhen International Airport for 10 hours.

Later, the travel agent failed to offer meals as required in the contract, and did not give an adequate explanation for changes the tour guide made to their schedule. The 11 tourists were stranded in Bangkok for six days and had to seek help from the Chinese Embassy in the city.

Li lodged a complaint with the Shenzhen consumer rights body after returning from the tour. The group was given several thousand yuan in compensation for the poor service offered by the travel agent.

Consumer council's tips:

According to Guangdong regulations, a travel agent has to sign a contract with tourists and offer services strictly according to the contract. The agent will be ordered to pay compensation if it is found to have violated the contract and caused losses to the tourists.

Editor: Yan