The problem of zero-dollar tours has returned with even lower prices, targeting inbound tourists from China, Russia and India.

This trend has begun to ravage the tourism industry because of the poor quality of the tours, leaving licensed Thai operators unable to compete, said the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta).

Atta said recently more groups of foreigners are operating tour companies in Thailand, using nominees to hide their illegal activities.

These illegal operators slash the prices of their tour packages, or offer tour packages without any tour fares.

Buyers of such packages are forced to buy additional services or products at very high prices from specific shops purposely set up to exploit tourists, said Atta.

These practices were common among the inbound Chinese market in the past, but now illegal operators are targeting Russian and Indian markets using the same tactics.

Atta said the zero-dollar tours are damaging the image of Thai tourism, portraying the country as a cheap and unsafe place for tourists as visitors are physically or verbally made to buy items they don't want.

The strategy will generate less income for the economy as the illegal operators avoid taxes and do not use local products and services, Atta said.

Atta said the government, private sector and Chinese officials should work together to fix this issue within one year.