THE Shanghai Tourism Trade Association and 10 Huangpu River cruise operators have been fined more than 1.74 million yuan (US$269,350) by city’s market watchdog for violating China’s anti-monopoly law.

The association was charged for hiking and fixing the prices of river tours and forcing its 10 members to implement the flat rates, while also limiting the number of boats that provide services like catering and entertainment since 2011, officials from the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation said.

It is illegal for cruise operators to insist on minimum ticket prices. Each tour operator was allowed to operate only one boat with catering or entertainment services, which is also illegal.

Major cruise operators including Shanghai Huangpu River Cruise and Bashi Shipping were among those to implement single pricing on their tours.

The cruise operators were warned by the association that their operations would be suspended if they fail to abide by its requirements.

The companies had been ordered to charge at least 128 yuan per passenger, and online tickets must be sold at least 90 yuan per person.