Shenzhen Tourism Association has unveiled 10 rules relating to package tours to Hong Kong, for the convenience of mainland tourists visiting the SAR during the coming May Day "Golden Week" holiday.

Travel agencies will face a penalty of 1,000 yuan (US$129) if they fail to list in the contract with tourists, detailed charges for each meal, commissions for tour guides and time allotted for parks and other entertainment centers.

They will face a penalty of 5,000 yuan if they change the itinerary, or charge extra fees during the trip, and a fine of 10,000 yuan if they work with companies or individuals who are not members of the Inbound Tour Operators' Association in Hong Kong, according to the rules announced Friday.

The association Wednesday also started to charge mainland tourists a minimum of HK$300 in the hope of discouraging agents from offering subsidized or zero-fee tours involving forced shopping, which would cover the tour costs and tour guides' incomes.

The association hopes that levying the fee, which will rise to HK$1,000 yuan by the end of May, will reduce the risk of tourists falling victim to shopping scams and help restore mainland tourists' confidence in Hong Kong.

Wu Bin, manager of China International Travel Services Shenzhen Company, said Friday the move would help stop a fierce price war among agencies.

Some tour companies fear the levy will make business worse.

The new levy will not be imposed on existing package tours under the "quality tour" scheme. The one-day Hong Kong tour under the scheme costs 198 yuan.

Editor: Donald