bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Christy Leung

A mainland Chinese tourist was arrested in Hong Kong yesterday for allegedly slapping her tour guide in the face because she refused to buy chocolate.
The 40-year-old woman was taken along with the rest of her tour group to a patisserie at Hok Yuen Street, Hung Hom, at around 1pm.
She got into a dispute with her local female tour guide, also 40, who was believed to have put pressure on her to make a purchase.
“The mainlander left the shop without buying any chocolate,” a tourism industry insider said.
“This irritated the tour guide and led to a fight outside the shop. The mainlander slapped the guide in the face.”
READ MORE: In wake of mainland visitor's death, Hong Kong must set up a statutory body to oversee tourism sector
The tourist was arrested for common assault. The guide suffered minor facial injuries and was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei.
It was understood that the mainland woman joined the group tour from Jiangsu province for a three-day visit to the city.
“We condemn any kind of violence,” tourism-sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said.
“Visitors should report to the police or the Travel Industry Council if they are upset with a service.”
READ MORE: Tour guide reportedly deaf in right ear after dispute in which mainland Chinese tourist was beaten and died
A mainland tourist died last month after he was allegedly beaten unconscious by four men. He was said to have been trying to mediate a dispute between a fellow visitor and their tour group leader over forced shopping.
Incidents involving cross-border tour groups being made to patronise certain retailers have prompted the government and the tourism watchdog to roll out special measures, including giving mainland authorities the names of suspected “shadow visitors” who joined groups to press tourists into spending.
The Tourism Commission received 192 complaints from mainland group tourists in the first nine months of the year. A total of 89 were related to shopping forced on visitors by tour guides and 111 to shopping in stores designated by agencies. Some of the complaints involved both elements.


Mainland Chinese tourist arrested for slapping Hong Kong guide in alleged ‘forced shopping’ row

The mainlander is allegedly forced to spend at a patisserie in Hok Yuen Street, Hung Hom. Photo: SCMP Picture

Customs move on 'forced shopping' in Hong Kong: arrest of sales supervisor of shop where mainland Chinese tourist was beaten

The sales supervisor was arrested by customs officers. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A suspect taken back to the scene of the dispute last month. Photo: Felix Wong

In wake of mainland visitor's death, Hong Kong must set up a statutory body to oversee tourism sector

Miao Chunqi was beaten during a dispute with the tour group leader over "forced shopping" at a D2 Jewellery shop in Hung Hom. Photo: Felix Wong

Miao Chunqi was beaten during a dispute with the tour group leader over "forced shopping" at a D2 Jewellery shop in Hung Hom. Photo: D2 Jewellery

The mainland tourist died a day after being allegedly beaten unconscious. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Tourism is an important facet for Hong Kong's economy that should be protected. Photo: Felix Wong

Tour guide reportedly deaf in right ear after dispute in which mainland Chinese tourist was beaten and died

Deng Haiyan outside Hung Hom police station where she reported that the beating had left her deaf in her right ear. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Deng said she wanted an apology from Zhang Lixia, whom she claimed slapped her right ear during the October 19 dispute. Photo: SCMP Pictures

China's tourism watchdog to target discount shopping tours in wake of tourist death in Hong Kong

Mainland travelers pose for a picture at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Photo: Dickson Lee

Mainland travelers pose for a picture at Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Hong Kong. Photo: David Wong

Hong Kong Travel Industry Council chairman Michael Wu Siu-ieng said he welcomed the administration's announcement. Photo: Dickson Lee