Travel companies in Beijing with a mix of foreign and local capitals are allowed to conduct outbound tours to overseas destinations excluding Taiwan, if they meet certain criteria, under a newly released pilot plan announced by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development on May 20.

The joint-venture travel companies eligible to apply to join the pilot scheme must have had their business license for at least two years, and have no records of being penalized for infringing travelers’ rights. The services allowed under the pilot plan cover overseas travel, including to Hong Kong and Macau, by mainland residents as well as outbound travel by foreigners and citizens of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residing in China.

Travel agencies approved to join the pilot scheme are required to add an indemnity deposit of RMB 1.2 million in their designated indemnity accounts with designated banks specified by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), or they must submit bank guarantees of the same specified amount to CNTA. The pilot scheme will run for three years. (Translated by Jerry)