Core Insights - The rising popularity of research-based travel (研学游) has led to a booming market, but it is plagued by issues such as inflated prices, misleading promotions, and a lack of educational content [1][2][4] Group 1: Market Issues - Many parents report dissatisfaction with research travel programs, citing discrepancies between advertised experiences and actual offerings, leading to complaints and legal actions against providers [2][3] - The lack of standardized pricing for research travel products results in significant price variations, with some programs costing from hundreds to thousands of yuan without clear justification [3][4] - The emergence of non-compliant organizations conducting research travel without proper qualifications has contributed to market confusion and safety concerns [4][5] Group 2: Regulatory Environment - The government has introduced several guidelines and standards to regulate the research travel industry, but enforcement and compliance remain inconsistent [4][5] - The introduction of the "Research Travel Guide" profession aims to clarify the qualifications needed for professionals in this field, yet the absence of unified standards for training and certification persists [5] Group 3: Safety and Quality Assurance - Parents are advised to verify the qualifications of travel agencies before enrolling their children in research travel programs, utilizing national platforms to check for valid licenses [6] - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has initiated pilot programs to enhance the quality of research travel bases, with selected provinces participating in these efforts [7] - Emphasizing the importance of clear contracts and understanding rights and responsibilities can help mitigate disputes and ensure better experiences for participants [7]

Core Insights - The popularity of study tours has surged, attracting many parents to enroll their children in various programs, but the market is plagued by safety incidents and issues such as inflated prices and lack of educational content [2][3][4] Market Issues - Many study tour programs do not meet the advertised standards, leading to dissatisfaction among parents. For instance, a parent reported that a program promised access to prestigious universities but only allowed a visit to one campus and required additional fees for a guide [3][4] - The pricing of study tours varies significantly, with some programs costing from hundreds to thousands of yuan, often without clear standards or transparency [5] - There is a prevalence of ordinary tourism products masquerading as study tours, which diminishes the educational value and turns them into mere sightseeing experiences [4][5] Industry Standards and Regulations - The rise of study tours has been supported by government policies, with recent guidelines issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to regulate the industry [6] - Many organizations offering study tours lack the necessary travel agency qualifications, leading to misleading advertising and market confusion [6][7] - The profession of study tour guide is being formalized, but there is currently no unified standard for training or certification, resulting in a proliferation of questionable training programs [7] Safety and Quality Assurance - Parents are advised to verify the qualifications of travel agencies before enrolling their children in study tours, ensuring they have valid licenses and insurance [8][9] - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has initiated pilot programs to enhance the quality of study tour bases, with several provinces selected for this initiative [9] - It is recommended that parents sign clear contracts with study tour providers to protect their rights and responsibilities [9][10]