Sightseeing-and-shopping trips, sponsored by major companies, are increasingly popular
Qin Zhihong, 50, was on his tenth tour to Hong Kong in the past five years.
The Henan province native paid just 50 yuan (US$7) for a five-day trip to the city, as well as Zhuhai and Macau. The mainland Chinese insurance company he uses covered the remaining cost for him and more than 200 other clients and staff on the same tour.
The travel industry has noted a growing trend for mainland companies organising the sponsored trips to the city. But the influx could be difficult to monitor if the tours are managed by travel agencies in the city.
Qin said he had prepared a budget of 50,000 yuan for the trip and had spent more than 30,000 yuan already in the area, where he and his fellow travellers had been taken to shop from 7am to noon.
“I bought necklaces, bracelets and a diamond ring which cost about 20,000 yuan for my wife, and an 8,800 yuan branded watch for myself,” Qin said.
