China had warned tourists to shop in Hong Kong

BEIJING (Reuters) - China National Tourism Administration has issued a consultation on a trip to Hong Kong after the video mainland tourists who insulted and "forced to shop" by tour guides in Hong Kong sparked outrage on the Internet.A former British colony, Hong Kong attracted hordes of Chinese tourists, many of their goods in the luxury travel or shopping for brand-name that is more expensive on the mainland."An undated video clip currently circulating on the Internet showing the Hong Kong tour guide allegedly abusing a group of visitors from mainland China and force them to shop, triggering strong reactions from mainland society," Xinhua news agency said Saturday.Budget tour package China often tries to pad out profits by taking tourists to shops that back a percentage of sales revenue to the agency. This practice is common both in China mainland and overseas tours offered by agencies of China.Xinhua quoted an unnamed spokesman for the tourism administration says regulators are "concerned" about the measures taken by Hong Kong's tourism authority over these practices. It has ordered investigations into the case by the regulator and mainland travel agents.Last month, the Hong Kong tourism authorities pledged to tighten regulations to protect tourists from spending forced or visits to designated shopping stops, Xinhua said.A 65-year tourist from Hunan Province died of a heart attack in Hong Kong in May, after arguing with a tour guide during forced to shop, Xinhua said.