Officials seek safe Spring Festival travel

The National Tourism Administration will launch a program to organize tourist activity during the New Year holiday.

The program features mixed measures to curb chaos in China's tourism market and aims to achieve safe travel, said Peng Zhikai, head of the administration's supervision and management division.

The administration will carry out inspections of tour-guide training and behavior, as well as tourist behavior guidance nationwide, especially in travels to China's neighboring countries, such as those in Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea.

"Those who disrupt the tourism market will be held accountable in accordance with the law," Peng said.

Public security, industry and commerce, price and transportation departments will also lend force to the program to ensure market order.

"Scenic spots and tourism restaurants will have their star ratings removed if they fail to pass relevant evaluation," Peng said.

In addition, tourism vehicles will be installed with GPS devices that track their travel record, and safety management will be strengthened for large-scale celebrations.