Notice urges visitor safety at tourist sites

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has issued a notice warning operators and local authorities to ensure visitor safety, highlighting poor safety measures and improper behavior at tourist sites across the country.

The notice comes after ministry officials conducted unannounced inspections in eight provinces and regions: Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces in East China; Guangdong and Hainan provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in the south; Hubei province in central China; and Guizhou province in the southwest.

These areas are home to many of the nation's most popular destinations, including West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and the karst and river scenery of Guilin in Guangxi.

In Zhejiang, officials uncovered 94 safety violations in the cities of Hangzhou, Huzhou, Jinhua, Wenzhou and Taizhou. Problems included the absence of life ropes and safety training at water-based events and allowing underage children to take part in rafting activities.

In Fujian, about 90 safety hazards were identified. At one site in Fuzhou, tourists were not warned about a damaged bridge. In Putian, a fire exit was found blocked at a venue offering singing and dancing entertainment.

Elsewhere, inspectors reported 40 safety risks in Jiangxi, 51 in Hubei and another 51 in Guangdong.

In Guangxi's Nanning, Guilin and Chongzuo, 22 violations were found. These included tourists not wearing seat belts in moving vehicles, unauthorized product sales by tour guides on buses and a lack of safety equipment, including helmets, at hot air balloon events.

The ministry has urged local governments to act swiftly to correct the problems and remain alert to other potential risks. Authorities are also required to strictly penalize operators who fail to comply with safety regulations.

Earlier this month, the ministry released a separate notice calling on local authorities to strengthen oversight of scenic spots and tourism facilities. The alert followed a tragic incident over the May Day holiday, from May 1 to May 5, when four tour boats capsized amid sudden winds and rain in Qianxi, Guizhou province, leaving 10 people dead and 70 injured.