Chinese Tourists Being Forced to Shop, Draws Outrage

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - How's this for motivation to shop: "Spend more, you'll be happier … don't tell me you don't need (to buy more), next you'll be telling me you don't need to eat at meal time. I will lock you out of your hotel rooms because you don't need them (either)."

These are the aggressive words of a Hong Kong tour guide to a crowded bus of Chinese tourists. The verbal assault was captured by someone on the bus and the undated video has gone viral on the Internet.

Chinese authorities have taken issue with the incident. A mainland tourism agency issued an advisory on Saturday regarding traveling to Hong Kong. Chinese officials have also contacted Hong Kong authorities and ordered a probe into the case, reports Xinhuanet.com .

Hong Kong's Commissioner of Tourism, Philip Yung, said his government is very concerned about the incident. He has urged that the tour guide's license be revoked if she is found to have violated regulations.

Chinese tourists often travel to Hong Kong to shop for luxury or brand-name goods that are more expensive on the mainland, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

To prevent more incidents of forced shopping or visits to designated shopping areas, Hong Kong tourism authorities have also pledged to tighten rules. Hong Kong's Travel Industry Council's official website says a new "Code of Conduct for Tour Guides" will come into effect as soon as Friday, reports The Wall Street Journal .

Another incident in May involved a 65-year-old mainland tourist who died from a heart attack in Hong Kong after he argued with a tour guide over allegedly being forced to shop, reports Xinhuanet.com .

Shopping can become contentious in China, too. Tour guides on the mainland often make deals to herd tourists into expensive stores in exchange for a cut of the sales. Those situations can get rather nasty if tourists don't buy enough, according to The Wall Street Journal .