Sanya Cracks Down on Concert Ticket Scalpers, Rewards Whistleblowers
Sanya, Hainan – Authorities in the popular tourist destination of Sanya are taking a firm stance against illegal ticket reselling, with recent cases resulting in administrative detention and substantial financial rewards for those who report illicit activity. The crackdown aims to regulate the ticketing market for large-scale events, particularly during the peak New Year’s Eve period, and foster a more standardized and orderly tourism experience.
The Sanya Tourism Service Center announced on December 12, 2025, that two recent cases demonstrate the city’s commitment to combating ticket scalping and illegal ticket grabbing. These actions are being taken to strengthen social supervision and governance within the tourism sector.
Administrative Detention and Rewards for Illegal Reselling
In November 2025, a member of the public reported to the “Sanya Safe Travel” platform that an individual, identified as Liu, had purchased concert invitations with the intent to resell them at a profit. Liu allegedly advertised these tickets on a second-hand trading platform, actively soliciting customers. Following an investigation, authorities confirmed the allegations.
“The investigation substantiated claims that Liu was engaging in illegal practices to profit from concert tickets,” stated a senior official.
As a result, Liu was given an administrative penalty of fifteen days of administrative detention, in accordance with Article 52, Paragraph 3 of the Public Security Administration Punishment Law of the People’s Republic of China. Furthermore, the whistleblower who reported Liu’s activities received a reward of 15,000 yuan, as stipulated by the “Rewards Measures for Reporting Illegal Operations in the Tourism Market of Sanya (Revised in 2024).”
A similar case unfolded in December 2025, when another individual, Xiao, was reported to the “Sanya Safe Travel” platform for posting information about reselling concert tickets online. The subsequent investigation confirmed the report, leading to Xiao’s administrative detention for seven days, again under the provisions of the Public Security Administration Punishment Law. The whistleblower in this case also received a reward of 15,000 yuan.
Reporting Illegal Activity and Protecting Whistleblowers
Sanya authorities are actively encouraging the public and tourists to report any suspected illegal business operations within the tourism market. Reports can be filed through the municipal government service hotline, 12345, or directly through the “Sanya Safe Travel” platform.
“We are committed to protecting the personal information of whistleblowers and ensuring their legitimate rights and interests are not infringed upon,” a spokesperson for the Sanya Tourism Service Center emphasized.
The city’s proactive approach signals a broader effort to maintain the integrity of its tourism sector and ensure a fair experience for both visitors and legitimate businesses. This initiative comes as Sanya continues to develop as a leading destination within the Hainan Free Trade Port, with ongoing planning for areas like the Miaolin Area and a focus on institutional opening up, as highlighted by the Ministry of Commerce.
The Sanya Tourism Service Center urges all stakeholders to work together to create a more high-quality, standardized, and orderly tourism market.
