Author(s)

S.-P. Chiu

Abstract

s Shopping is a very popular activity for tourists. Package tourism always arranges shopping trips to serve the needs of tourists. Nevertheless, it is quite normal for tourists to be subjected to unfair or unfaithful benefits by means of tricks, deceptions, guile, and treachery. In order to understand the phenomenon of shopping fraud towards package tourists, this study interviews 15 people, who are variously tourists, tourism-related workers, and the official administrator, in order to generalize the patterns and the relevant factors of shopping fraud. Finally, on the basis of \“routine activity theory”, a probable explanation of the causes of shopping fraud toward package tourism is presented for further study. Keywords: shopping fraud, package tour, cheat, tourism crime. 1 Introduction Package tour means a group of people led by a tour guide. Thus transportation, accommodation, restaurants and scenic spots, as well as shopping activities, are all arranged by a tour agency. Compared with backpackers, tourists in package tours are safer and under better protection on their trips. According to Cohen [3], tourists on package tours are seldom robbed, assaulted or attacked on the street. Meanwhile, the locals will be more considerate and not try to offend or harass tourists on a package tour. According to Kim and Littrell [8], the cost of shopping is one third of travelling spending. Apparently, shopping is a very popular activity in travel. Travel agencies always arrange shopping activities for the need of tourists. Under such arrangement, tourists are treated with hospitality while shopping. Moreover, transportation is well-prepared toward package tours so that tourists

Keywords

shopping fraud, package tour, cheat, tourism crime