Too tall for a children’s ticket? Chinese consumer council sues over height restrictions
- Guangdong watchdog argues that determining entry fee by height alone – a common practice at tourist sites in China – is a violation of minors’ rights
- Defendant Guangzhou Chimelong Group says it is a widespread industry practice and the ‘laws and regulations are unclear’
A provincial watchdog in southern China has sued an entertainment venue operator in the country’s first public litigation concerning the protection of minors’ consumer rights.
The Guangdong Consumer Council filed the case against Guangzhou Chimelong Group for imposing height restrictions on visitors to qualify for discounted children’s entry fees – a common practice at tourist sites in China.
At the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court on Monday, lawyers for the consumer watchdog argued that determining the ticket price for a child by height alone was a violation of their rights, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
They said all underage visitors should be entitled to the concessionary rate and that this should be determined by “effective and law-abiding” means.
The consumer council also demanded that the defendant – a major operator of parks, hotels, high-end restaurants and tourist venues – publish an apology for the practice in mainstream media, according to the report, which was later pulled from the Guangzhou-based tabloid’s website.
When contacted by the Post, a staff member from Southern Metropolis Daily confirmed the report had been deleted, but it was not clear why.