The State Administration of Tourism, the Ministry of Commerce Decree of the State Administration of Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic No.19 The Interim Provisions on the Establishment of Foreign Holding and Wholly Foreign-owned Travel Agencies are hereby promulgated upon Director-General of the State Administration of Tourism He Guangwei Minister of the Ministry of Commerce Lu Fuyuan June 12, 2003 Interim Provision on the Establishment of Foreign Holding and Wholly Foreign-owned Travel Agencies Article 1 In order to adapt to new situation upon China’s accession to the WTO and further open tourism to the outside world and promote the Article 2 The Provision is applicable to the foreign holding and wholly foreign-owned travel agencies established in China during transition Article 3 The foreign investor for establishing a foreign holding agency shall be eligible for the following conditions: (1) Being a travel agency or an enterprise mainly undertaking tourism; (2) With total annual amount of tourism more than USD40m; (3) Being a member of the national (regional) association of tourism; (4) Being in good international credit with advanced management experience of travel agency; (5) Abiding by Chinese laws and the relevant Chinese regulations of tourism. Article 4 For the foreign investor of wholly foreign-owned travel agency, besides meeting the conditions prescribed in Article 3 (1), (3), Article 5 The Chinese investor of a foreign holding agency shall meet the conditions prescribed in Article 29 of the Regulation of Travel Agency Article 6 The foreign holding and wholly foreign-owned travel agency to be established shall meet the following conditions: (1) In compliance with development planning of tourism; (2) In compliance with the requirements of tourist market; (3) With investors meeting the conditions prescribed in Articles 3, 4 and 5 of the Provision; and (4) With registered capital no less than RMB4m. Article 7 The eligible foreign investor can establish a foreign holding and wholly foreign-owned travel agency in the national tourist and holiday Article 8 In general, for an investor applying for establishing foreign holding and wholly foreign-owned travel agencies, only one agency will Article 9 The Application for establishing foreign holding and wholly foreign-owned travel agencies shall be processed by reference with the Article 10 The foreign holding and wholly foreign-owned travel agencies may not directly or in disguise engage in tourism businesses relating Article 11 The responsibility for interpretation of the Provision shall be vested with the State Administration of Tourism and the Ministry of Article 12 The Provision shall come into force 30 days after their promulgation. |
The State Administration of Tourism, the Ministry of Commerce
2003-06-12