Beginning yesterday and lasting until September 22, the province will crack down on illegal tourism companies and tour guides and better organize one-day tours, officials said.

Yesterday Xi'an Tourism Administration officials travelled to Lintong District where the world-renown Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum is located to clear up the illegal tourism market.

Offences include illegal commissions taken by tour guides and taxi drivers, said Zhou Aiquan, director of Xi'an Municipal Tourism Administration. These practices harm tourists and the market, he added.

"The illegal sales commissions paid at tourism sites, shops and restaurants is mainly found in Lintong, the most attractive place among Xi'an's tourism spots," said Zhang Xia, deputy director of Lintong District Tourism Bureau.

With help from the Xi'an municipal government, Lintong closed a number of illegally run tour companies, shops and restaurants over the past two days, Zhang said.

Illegal activities at Xi'an's other tourism spots were also discovered and punished by the local tourism administration, said a source in the tourism industry who would not be named.

Shaanxi provincial government also held a teleconference to tell local officials to make checks on the tourism market in the province, in order to provide better services for visitors.

All these measures intended to prepare for the approaching busy tourist week around National Day period which takes place on October 1. Province officials said they will ensure tourist safety and regulate tour companies, said Jia Zhibang, acting governor of the province.

Purchasing souvenirs is one of the major sources of income comprising 30 to 60 percent of the total tourism income in many countries. However in Shaanxi, it is only 15 percent due to illegal tourism operations and lack of control in the souvenir market, Jia said.

( China Daily September 13, 2002)