To address rip-offs, forced shopping and similar problems in the travel market, places such as Yunnan have begun forming tourist police units to handle visitor-related disputes with dedicated staff. Compared with ordinary police stations, tourist police are more familiar with the everyday concerns of travellers and can respond and mediate more effectively.
Tourist police are not a Chinese invention — destinations such as Thailand, Russia and Egypt have long had similar units handling everything from directions and lost items to disputes. Observers say their success hinges on clearly defined duties and smooth coordination with other agencies, and the move is seen as only the first step toward a cleaner travel market.