On June 17, financial authorities reported that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently released the third batch of typical cases concerning compulsory consumption in the tourism market for 2026, totaling 13 instances. These cases cover a range of illegal activities in the tourism sector, including unreasonably low-priced tours, forced shopping, false advertising, and unlicensed operations. Among them, six cases involve agents associated with four insurance companies—China Life Insurance Company Limited, PICC Life Insurance Company, Union Life Insurance Co., Ltd., and Ping An Life Insurance Company of China, Ltd.—who improperly organized travel activities.
In the reported cases related to insurance, several sales agents organized group tours for insurance clients under the guise of customer appreciation or financial benefits without possessing the required travel agency business license. The itineraries covered both domestic and outbound travel, with many tours featuring issues such as forced shopping, induced consumption, and disguised price hikes.
Specifically, Yang Mou-rong, a salesperson at the Wanshan branch of China Life Insurance Company Limited, organized a "7-day Hong Kong and Macao tour" for insurance clients at a fee of 880 yuan per person without the necessary travel agency license. Gao Mou provided tour guide services for the group despite lacking the qualifications. Tourists reported being confined to shopping stores in Hong Kong and Macao. Yang's actions violated Article 28 of China's Tourism Law, while Gao's actions violated Article 39. In January 2026, the Tongren Culture, Sports, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau imposed an administrative penalty on Yang, confiscating illegal gains and fining him 15,000 yuan. In March 2026, the same bureau fined Gao 1,000 yuan and confiscated his illegal income.
Four tourists participated in a "6-day Nha Trang, Vietnam tour" organized by Taizhou Yuanmeng International Travel Agency Co., Ltd., through introductions by salespersons Fang Mou-jun and Zhang Mou-qin from the Jingjiang branch of PICC Life Insurance Company. Tourists reported that the local guide required them to spend a minimum amount on shopping. An investigation revealed that Taizhou Yuanmeng International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. operated without an outbound tourism business license, violating Article 29, Paragraph 2 of China's Tourism Law. In November 2025, the Taizhou Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau penalized the agency by confiscating illegal gains, ordering a 15-day suspension of business for rectification, and imposing a fine of 40,000 yuan. The directly responsible supervisor, Tian Mou-wei, was fined 8,000 yuan.
Glory Starlight (Shenzhen) International Travel Co., Ltd. organized a "6-day, 5-night Laos tour for China Life Insurance Company Limited VIP clients" without an outbound tourism business license and failed to pay reception and service fees to the local agency. Tourists reported being forced to shop by staff from the local agency and being required to pay additional tour fees. The company's actions violated Article 29, Paragraph 2 of China's Tourism Law and Article 37, Paragraph 1 of the Travel Agency Regulations. In March 2026, the Luohu District Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau in Shenzhen penalized the company by confiscating illegal gains, ordering a 6-month business suspension for rectification, and imposing a fine of 10,000 yuan. The directly responsible supervisor, Yao Mou-qing, was fined 2,000 yuan.
Huang Mou-xia, an agent of Union Life Insurance Co., Ltd., recruited 60 tourists for a "6-day Chaoshan and Xiamen tour" without a travel agency business license and handed over the tourists to Yancheng Branch of Zhongshun International Travel Agency (Shandong) Co., Ltd. for organization. The Yancheng branch then engaged Xiamen Haohui Home International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. to host the tourists without signing a delegation contract. Tourists complained about service quality issues during the trip. Huang's actions violated Article 28 of China's Tourism Law, while the Yancheng branch's actions violated Article 36 of the Travel Agency Regulations. In September 2025, the Sheyang County Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau penalized Huang by confiscating illegal gains and fining her 10,000 yuan. In November 2025, the Yancheng City Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau fined the Yancheng branch 20,000 yuan.
In October 2025, salespersons Yu Mou-xi and Ding Mou-ping from the Yueyang branch of China Life Insurance Company Limited recruited and organized 35 tourists for a "6-day Vietnam tour" at a fee of 699 yuan per person without the required travel agency license. The tour led to tourist complaints due to issues with induced consumption. Their actions violated Article 28 of China's Tourism Law. In October 2025, the Yueyang Culture, Tourism, Radio, and Television Bureau penalized Yu and Ding by confiscating their illegal gains and fining each 10,000 yuan.
Zhang Mou-shu, a salesperson at the Nanxi Marketing Service Department of the Yibin Central Sub-branch of Ping An Life Insurance Company of China, Ltd., organized 17 tourists for a "6-day exclusive Nha Trang tour" without a travel agency business license. Tourists reported that some shops posed as "duty-free stores" to promote overpriced jewelry. Zhang's actions violated Article 28 of China's Tourism Law. In September 2025, the Yibin Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau penalized Zhang by confiscating illegal gains and imposing a fine of 10,000 yuan.