French connection proves worry in Shanghai

After the French consulate suddenly announced this week that visa applications must be received two months in advance, Shanghai travel agencies worry that many groups will miss Europe's summer peak season.

The new visa policy was announced without any notice and implemented immediately, catching agencies on the hop. The policy will hit tourist groups originally scheduled to leave in August, said agencies.

Shanghai Jinjiang International Travel Agency has a group that was expected to leave for Europe on August 8, and says it is now impossible for the tour to set out on time.

"Originally the French visa applications were reserved 20 days in advance," said Dong Ming, the agency's general manager. "And now it's too late for us to apply for the visa. The hotels and air tickets we have booked have to be canceled, and what's more, we may not be able to get back the deposit."

Dong said the agency planned to apply for Italian visas, but application appointments at the Italian consulate are fully booked until November.

"The problem now is that the change has aroused complaints from tourists," he said.

The Shanghai China International Travel Service Co Ltd said it hoped tourists understand they will miss this year's summer trip to France. "If you book a travel package now, you may not be able to start the journey until at least September," said Yu Weihua, the agency's general manager.