Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Tourism (revised in 2009)

Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 In order to promote the development of tourism in this Municipality, rationally develop and effectively protect tourism resources, maintain the order of the tourism market, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of tourists and tour operators, these Regulations are formulated in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations and in light of the actual situation of this Municipality. Article 2 "Tourism" as mentioned in these Regulations refers to a comprehensive industry that provides tourists with services such as sightseeing, accommodation, catering, transportation, shopping, entertainment and information by using tourism resources and facilities. The tourism resources mentioned in these Regulations refer to natural resources, historical and cultural resources and other social resources that can be developed and utilized for the development of tourism and have economic, social and environmental benefits. The term "tour operators" as mentioned in these Regulations refers to travel agencies, tour guide service companies, hotels, tourist distribution centers, operators of tourist areas (spots), online tour operators, tour route operators and other units or individuals engaged in tourism business activities. Article 3 These Regulations shall apply to the promotion and development of tourism, the planning and resource protection of tourism, the business activities of tourism operators and the tourism activities of tourists, and the relevant supervision and management within the administrative area of this Municipality. Article 4 Tourism development should be coordinated with economic and social development, highlight the characteristics of urban tourism, follow the principles of unified planning and sustainable development, adhere to the combination of development, utilization and protection of tourism resources, and adhere to the unity of economic, social and environmental benefits of tourism. Article 5 The municipal, district and county people's governments shall incorporate the development of tourism into the national economic and social development plan. The Municipal People's Government shall strengthen its leadership over the tourism industry, establish a tourism coordination mechanism, and promote the coordinated development of tourism and related industries. Units and individuals that have made remarkable contributions to the development of tourism shall be commended and rewarded by the municipal, district and county people's governments. Article 6 The municipal tourism administrative departments and the district/county tourism administrative departments (hereinafter referred to as the tourism administrative departments) shall be responsible for compiling tourism plans within their respective administrative areas, carrying out tourism publicity, organizing and coordinating the development, utilization and protection of tourism resources, and guiding, supervising and managing tourism business activities. The relevant administrative departments shall, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, safeguard and promote the development of tourism. Seventh tour operators can establish or join relevant trade associations according to law. Relevant industry associations shall formulate industry service standards, strengthen industry self-discipline, and carry out activities such as providing services for members, organizing market expansion, participating in tourism promotion, releasing market information, promoting tourism products, and carrying out industry training exchanges according to the needs of members. Chapter II Tourism Promotion and Development Article 8 The Municipal People's Government shall arrange special funds for tourism development in the annual budget. Special funds for tourism development are mainly used for city image promotion, tourism public welfare facilities construction and major tourism promotion activities. People's governments at all levels shall support the construction funds of supporting facilities such as road traffic, security, environmental sanitation, water supply and power supply, natural environment and cultural heritage protection involved in tourist areas (spots). Ninth tourism administrative departments in conjunction with the relevant administrative departments to establish a library of tourism construction projects to be developed, and guide the investment in tourism projects with local characteristics and cultural connotations; Provide information and help coordination for domestic and foreign investors to participate in tourism development and construction; Give policy support to key tourist areas and tourism construction projects that promote regional economic and cultural development. Domestic and foreign enterprises that come to Shanghai to carry out tourism business activities by means of equity participation, mergers and acquisitions, relocation of headquarters, etc., enjoy the same treatment as tourism enterprises in this city. Where there are special provisions in laws and regulations, those provisions shall prevail. Tenth tourism administrative departments and relevant administrative departments shall promote tourism operators to develop tourism products by relying on social resources such as industry, agriculture, commerce, sports, science and technology, culture, education and health in this Municipality, so as to realize the combination of tourism and related industries. The planning and scheme design of regional development, municipal projects or national large-scale projects in this Municipality shall give consideration to the development of tourism functions and the construction of related facilities. Eleventh provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government, travel agencies can organize local tourism teams to directly come to the city for tourism activities. Tourism administrative departments and relevant administrative departments shall provide convenience for travel agencies of all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and their organized tourism teams to travel to Shanghai. Article 12 The municipal tourism administrative department shall, jointly with the relevant administrative departments, formulate a publicity plan for urban tourism image, set up domestic and overseas tourism publicity outlets, and strengthen the publicity of urban image, major tourist areas (spots) and major festivals, activities, exhibitions and other activities through various channels and forms such as mass media and domestic and overseas cooperation and exchanges. This Municipality encourages units and individuals to develop tourism products in combination with local and cultural characteristics. Tourism administrative departments shall, according to the characteristics of local tourism resources and the advantages of tourism products, determine the overall image of tourism and the theme of publicity and promotion, support the development of tourism products and promote the expansion of tourism market. Thirteenth approved transfer of the right to operate state-owned tourism resources, should follow the principles of openness, fairness, justice and good faith, through auction, bidding and other means. Article 14 When this Municipality formulates the public passenger transport plan, it shall listen to the opinions of the tourism administrative department; When arranging public passenger lines and setting up stations, we should take into account the needs of tourism development. The city's tourist route planning should be incorporated into the urban traffic network planning. The allocation of tourist routes and facilities in this Municipality shall be coordinated with the allocation of public passenger transport routes and facilities.