Source: CCTV.com

04-22-2009 19:21

While tourism consumption coupons heating up Hangzhou's tourism industry and benefit travellers, many consumers say the coupons are not as convenient as they had expected.

Leifeng Tower is one of the most popular scenic spots in Hangzhou. Tourists now can use consumption coupons to buy their entrance tickets. However, only a few visitors used coupons.

One tourist said "I saw these coupons at the airport and grabbed one."

Another tourist said "I reserved these coupons on the Internet. But I'm confused now how to use them."

Tourism consumption coupons in Hangzhou have to be used in designated scenic spots, restaurants, hotels, and stores around the city. Tourists spending forty yuan can use one coupon with a value of 10 yuan. This is equivalent of offering a 25 percent discount.

However, many tourists find that they can seldom use the coupons after buying the entrance tickets of scenic spots. This greatly reduces their attractiveness.

One ticket seller of Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park said "Coupons can only be used when buying tickets, other places within the park don't receive them. "

One tourist said "The range of using coupons are too narrow. We have spent around one thousand yuan, but can only use at most 100 yuan worth of coupons."

There is a similar situation at another well-known spot in Hangzhou, West Lake. As most scenic spots around the lake are free, tourists can only use coupons at restaurants and hotels. However, most hotels don't accept coupons.

Wang Xinzhang, Vice Director of Hangzhou Tourism Committee said "There are around 10,000 hotels and restaurants in Hangzhou. But only 200 are willing to receive coupons. It's voluntary for stores to join our campaign. So we can't force them if they don't want to."

Complicated procedures for using the coupons have also annoyed tourists. Travellers have to provide their name, telephone number, receipts, coupon number and store seals. Hangzhou tourism authorities say they have simplified some procedures, but to make it too simple creates problems with management and operation of the coupon program.

Editor:Xiong Qu