In response to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China National Tourism Administration has issued an emergency notice, asking travel agencies to stop organizing tour groups to the earthquake areas.
CNTA says in the notice that travel agencies must halt sending tour groups intended to go or go through the disaster areas and give a good explanation to the customers. CNTA also reminds tourists not to go to those areas on their own. So far, China Youth Travel Service and China Spring and Autumn Travel Service are reportedly to have stopped sending tour groups to such hot destinations as Chengdu, Leshan and Jiuzhaigou which are all close to the disaster areas.
The China Hotel Association has also issued a proposal, calling on all lodging and catering service providers across the country, particularly those near the earthquake areas in Sichuan, to make efforts to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
CHA says the lodging and catering industry should actively engage in providing all necessary backup for the disaster relief, helping the government maintain a stable social order and a stable market price.
In addition, CHA says that the lodging and catering industry associations in different parts of the country should voluntarily provide platforms and assistance and coordinate with the local government in the rescue efforts, guiding and supervising the hotels and food enterprises to in implementing necessary emergency measures and strengthening crisis response mechanism.
