BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism will continue to regulate the order of the tourism market, and will take stronger action against the problems nationwide, the ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Based on protecting the rights of the tourists, they will target prominent problems in the tourism sector such as fraudulent low-priced tours and compulsory consumption, among others.

According to the statement, the ministry began a campaign this year, which saw five inspection groups go to popular tourist destinations to straighten out irregularities in the first three months.

The inspection covered more than 11,000 tour companies, 8,600 tour guides, over 2,900 tour groups and 800 vehicles, with 172 cases filed and 70 tour guides and illicit practitioners punished.