Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing issue of illegal "black car" operations in Japan, particularly involving Chinese drivers, highlighting the risks associated with using unlicensed vehicles for transportation and the regulatory challenges faced by authorities [1][3][11]. Group 1: Illegal Operations - A 26-year-old Chinese man was arrested in Japan for operating an illegal taxi service that resulted in a fatal accident, despite claiming he did not charge passengers [1] - The use of "white plate" vehicles, which are private cars, has become common among Chinese tourists due to lower costs compared to licensed "green plate" vehicles, but this practice poses significant risks, including lack of passenger insurance [3][4] - Japanese authorities have been cracking down on illegal taxi operations, with numerous arrests made in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto [3][4] Group 2: Financial Aspects - A couple operating a black car business reportedly generated 31 million yen in revenue over a year, averaging over 80,000 yen daily, with drivers earning between 18,000 to 20,000 yen per day [7] - Many drivers have shifted to renting "green plates" to circumvent regulations, allowing them to operate under a seemingly legal framework while maintaining the same practices as before [8] Group 3: Broader Implications - The phenomenon of illegal taxi services is not limited to Japan; it is a widespread issue in various countries with significant Chinese tourist populations, including South Korea and European nations [11][14] - The competitive pressure from online travel platforms has led legitimate taxi services to resort to using black car drivers to survive financially, creating a challenging environment for regulatory enforcement [16][17]

Core Viewpoint - The State Council issued a notification on September 15 to strengthen comprehensive regulation of the tourism market, aiming to address issues disrupting market order and protecting tourists' rights, thereby promoting high-quality development in the tourism industry [1] Group 1: Regulatory Responsibilities - The notification emphasizes the need to clarify the responsibilities of various departments in tourism market regulation, adhering to principles of local management, inter-departmental collaboration, and shared responsibilities [1] - The cultural and tourism department is tasked with daily coordination and supervision of tourism service quality, while the police department is responsible for maintaining order at tourist sites and addressing illegal ticket sales [2] Group 2: Protection of Tourists' Rights - The notification addresses the issue of "big data killing familiarity," where different prices are shown for the same service based on user accounts, and emphasizes the need for online travel platforms to protect personal information and avoid misleading practices [3] - It encourages tourism operators to adopt a customer-centric approach, improve service quality, and ensure compliance with legal standards to safeguard tourists' rights [3] Group 3: Regulatory Mechanisms - The notification calls for enhanced regulatory checks and law enforcement collaboration among departments, including online inspections and surprise checks to ensure compliance [4] - It highlights the importance of addressing multi-departmental issues promptly and coordinating investigations to uphold market order [4] Group 4: Seasonal Regulatory Focus - The notification acknowledges that illegal activities tend to increase during peak tourist seasons, and emphasizes the importance of ongoing regulatory efforts to identify and address market issues [5]

Core Viewpoint - The State Council issued a notice on September 15 to strengthen comprehensive regulation of the tourism market, aiming to address issues disrupting market order and protecting tourist rights, thereby promoting high-quality development in the tourism industry [1] Group 1: Regulatory Responsibilities - The notice emphasizes the need to clarify the responsibilities of various departments in tourism market regulation, adhering to principles of local management, departmental collaboration, and shared responsibilities [3] - The cultural and tourism department is tasked with daily coordination and supervision of tourism service quality, as well as handling violations of tourism laws [3] - The public security department is responsible for maintaining order in tourist areas and addressing illegal activities such as ticket scalping and fraud [4] Group 2: Protection of Tourist Rights - The notice highlights the issue of "big data killing familiarity," where different prices are shown for the same service based on user accounts, and calls for online travel platforms to protect personal information and prevent unfair practices [5][6] - It encourages tourism operators to adopt a customer-centric approach, improve service quality, and ensure the safety and legal rights of tourists [5][6] Group 3: Regulatory Mechanisms - The notice proposes enhancing regulatory checks and law enforcement collaboration among departments through online inspections and surprise checks [6] - It aims to establish a framework for cross-departmental and cross-regional joint inspections to address issues that span multiple regulatory responsibilities [6] Group 4: Focus Areas for Future Regulation - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism plans to conduct ongoing inspections, particularly targeting popular tourist routes and areas to identify and report issues such as forced shopping and tour guide misconduct [7] - The notice outlines a clear direction for future regulatory efforts, especially during peak tourist seasons, to maintain market order and protect consumer rights [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the need for enhanced comprehensive regulation of the tourism market, focusing on the responsibilities of tourism operators and the protection of tourists' rights and interests [1] Group 1: Responsibilities of Tourism Operators - The notification mandates tourism operators to fulfill their primary responsibilities and adhere to the principle of "tourist-centered, sincere service" [1] - It highlights the importance of legal compliance in operations to improve service quality and ensure the safety and legal rights of tourists [1] Group 2: Management of Travel Agencies and Guides - Travel agencies are encouraged to arrange reasonable travel itineraries and manage tour guide teams effectively [1] - The notification stresses the legal protection of tour guides' labor rights [1] Group 3: Online Travel Platforms - Online travel platforms are urged to enhance personal information protection and refrain from practices such as "big data killing familiarity," false advertising, and bundled sales that infringe on tourists' rights [1] - The article promotes healthy competition among online travel platforms and the legal protection of operators within these platforms [1] Group 4: Safety and Compliance Measures - The notification emphasizes the need for tour bus companies to take responsibility for safety production [1] - It calls for shopping venues and tourist attractions to ensure that quality matches price and to resist commercial bribery [1]

Core Viewpoint - New Zealand has announced a trial visa-free entry policy for Chinese citizens holding valid Australian visas, effective from November, which is expected to boost tourism but may not benefit local Chinese car rental businesses due to intense price competition [1][6]. Group 1: Visa Policy Impact - The trial visa-free entry policy will allow Chinese citizens with valid Australian visas to stay in New Zealand for up to three months without a visa [1]. - This policy has led to a surge in travel searches for New Zealand on OTA platforms, indicating a potential increase in Chinese tourists [1]. Group 2: Car Rental Market Dynamics - The typical daily rental price for a seven-seat vehicle in New Zealand ranges from 700 to 1000 NZD, but prices have been driven down significantly due to competition among local Chinese car rental businesses [2][3]. - A price war has emerged, with some car rental quotes dropping to as low as 300 NZD per day, leading to confusion among potential customers regarding fair pricing [2][4]. Group 3: Market Challenges - The influx of tourists post-pandemic has led to aggressive expansion by car rental businesses, but the subsequent slowdown in tourism growth has left many vehicles underutilized, resulting in financial losses [9][10]. - The rise of unlicensed "black cars," often operated by Chinese students, has further exacerbated the price competition, as these services can offer significantly lower rates due to lower operational costs [11][12]. Group 4: Changing Customer Demographics - The profile of Chinese tourists visiting New Zealand has shifted, with an increase in budget-conscious travelers who prioritize price over luxury, impacting the demand for high-end car rental services [15][16]. - Tourists are increasingly negotiating prices, leading to longer discussions and a more competitive environment for car rental businesses [16]. Group 5: Sales Channel Evolution - Traditional sales channels for car rentals have been disrupted by the rise of social media marketing, where new players can attract customers with low prices, further pressuring established car rental companies [18][20]. - These social media sellers often negotiate prices down to 20-30% of standard rates, leaving local car rental businesses to handle the operational aspects while absorbing the financial strain [20][21]. Group 6: Industry Recommendations - There is a call for the establishment of a pricing guideline and industry standards to protect legitimate car rental businesses and ensure safety for tourists [24][26]. - Emphasis is placed on the importance of verifying the credentials of car rental services to ensure safety and accountability for tourists [24][25].