Mainland Chinese tourist arrested for slapping Hong Kong guide in alleged ‘forced shopping’ row
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 21 November, 2015, 7:00am
UPDATED : Saturday, 21 November, 2015, 7:00am
Christy Leung
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The mainlander is allegedly forced to spend at a patisserie in Hok Yuen Street, Hung Hom. Photo: SCMP Picture
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.”
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.”
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.
