Travel Agency Sector's WTO Commitments

1.Limitations on market access

Foreign services suppliers who meet the following conditions are permitted to provide services in the form of joint venture travel agencies and tour operators in the holiday resorts designated by the Chinese government and in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi'an upon accession:

1). A travel agency and tour operator mainly engaged in travel business
2). Annual worldwide turnover exceeds US$ 40 million. The registered capital of joint venture travel agency/tour operator shall be no less than 4 million yuan. Within three years after China's accession, the registered capital shall be no less than 2.5 million yuan. Within three years after accession foreign majority ownership will be permitted. Within six years after accession, wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries will be permitted and geographic restrictions will be removed.

2. The business scope of the travel agency/ tour operator is as follows:

1).Travel and hotel accommodation services for foreign travelers which can be made directly with transportation and hotel operators in China covering such operations;
2).Travel services and hotel accommodation services for domestic travelers which can be made directly with transportation and hotel operators in China covering such operations;
3). Conducting of tours within China for both domestic and foreign travelers;
4).Travelers check cashing services within China.

Within six years after accession, there will be no restriction on the establishment of branches of the joint venture travel agency/tour operator and the requirement on registered capital of foreign-invested travel agency/tour operator will be the same as that of Chinese travel agency/tour operator.

3. Limitations on national treatment

None joint ventures or wholly-owned travel agencies and tour operators are permitted to engage in the activities of Chinese traveling abroad and to Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Chinese Taipei.