LEXINGTON, KY. -- The National Tour Association has announced changes to the China Inbound Program, including new requirements for tour operators that participate to the program, to assure Chinese group leisure travelers to the U.S. "have a safe and quality vacation experience."

The changes were announced after a fatal motorcoach crash Jan. 30, that killed six Chinese group leisure travelers on a highway about 30 miles south of Hoover Dam in Arizona.

"As the Chinese group leisure travel market continues to grow in the United States, NTA and its partners felt it was important to take next steps in improving the visitor experience," said NTA President Lisa Simon.

The new criteria for participating in the program is backed by the China National Tourism Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce, she said.

"CNTA and the Department of Commerce are in full support of the new criteria and NTA is proud to be the only U.S. organization working in an official capacity with this market as part of the MOU (memorandum of understanding)."

Eighteen months ago, the U.S. and China signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate Chinese group leisure travel to the U.S.

NTAs China Inbound Program was created to assist NTA tour operators in working with Chinese travel agencies to organize and market packaged group leisure tours to the United States.

NTA said that among the new criteria, participants are required to use suppliers and contractors that are sufficiently licensed and who maintain up-to-date registration and insurance in compliance with applicable laws.

Tour operators also must review crash data, safety ratings and safety records of motorcoach subcontractors and make sure they are properly licensed in the state of operation, it said.

Additionally, the criteria include a special rule that says any shopping activities must be done without coercion at reputable shopping facilities with quality products.

"To remain an approved operator with the China Inbound Program, all participating companies must reapply to affirm they meet these new criteria."

The NTA has developed a document outlining "best practices" for working with the China inbound market, including details in six areas of activity - tour operator and supplier qualifications; itineraries and visitor experience; tour pricing and tour advertising; payment, refunds and deposits; crisis management; and continuing education.

The January crash that killed the six Chinese travelers and injured nine others is still under investigation. State investigators suspect the driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.

The United Motorcoach Association, a travel partner with NTA, welcomed the changes.

"This makes perfect sense," said Victor Parra, president and CEO of the United Motorcoach Association.

"With our BusRates.com logo/link now on the NTA website, this should spell more business for BusRates.com subscribers, particularly given you can link directly to the SAFER database to check the companys safety record, insurance and if they have proper operating authority." (See July 15 Bus & Motorcoach News.)