Online travel agencies have emerged as a booming business in mainland China, Shanghai's National Business Daily reports.
In 2014, the transaction value of China's online travel market totaled 277 billion yuan (US$44.4 billion), up 27.1% from the previous year.
Online transactions accounted for 10% of China's overall travel market last year, and the figure is expected to rise to 15.6% by 2017.
As of Oct. 31, downloads of the mobile apps ctrip.com, qunar.com and ly.com had reached 187 million (US$30 million), 178 million (US$28.9 million) and 130 million (US$21 million), respectively, the report said, citing data from Jinlu Consulting.
Jinlu Consulting CEO Wei Changren told the paper that the rapid development of online travel agencies in China has led to a spike in consumer complaints, many of which were related to the electronic contracts established between the agencies and their customers.
Because such contracts are relatively new, they are currently not regulated by law, Wei said.
Although the 2013 Tourism Law has helped to regulate China's chaotic travel market, it does not addr ess issues related to online travel agencies, Wei said.
He Jianmin, a professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, said online travel agencies must inform consumers about their products. He advised consumers to make sure that travel agencies are legal before signing any electronic contracts.
He also proposed introducing a third-party monitoring mechanism to improve the situation.
Source: Want China Times
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