The government of Shanxi Province recently came up with a proposal for managing tour group services that would legalize mandatory gratuity for tour guides.

Let's take a look at different views in the media.

An opinion in the Guangzhou Daily says this would not be a rational practice in China, where the payment system is entirely different from those in other countries. In some countries, customers pay bills with an optional tip if they enjoyed the service. However, in China, bills automatically include fees for the service staff.

The opinion in the Guangzhou Daily goes on to say that deducting part of the payment to the travel agency would be more reasonable. Then the customer could tip the tour guide according to his or her service.

The Jiang Nan Times carries a commentary saying enforced tipping would reshape the existing benefit system between travel agencies and overpriced souvenir shops. Currently in China, tour guides get commission from designated souvenirs shops. Tourists are reluctant to tip due to concerns that the tour guides receive commissions from the shops.