Tianjin municipality has published the "Tianjin Tourism Administrative Penalty Discretion Standard (for Trial Implementation)" which will be put into force from December 1, 2009.
The standard specifies the penalties for wrongdoings by travel agencies and tour guides such as cheating tourists. It states that travel agencies can be fined up to CNY500,000 as a result of breaking the relevant regulations.
In the meantime, the document clearly distinguishes the parties responsible for paying the penalty. For instance, if a travel agency forces tourists to shop, the agency, tour guides, and tour escorts shall all be punished.
