Travel agencies in the city are concerned several European countries will start demanding interviews before granting ADS (Approved Destination Status) visas to local travelers, which could greatly reduce interest in the European market.

Some agencies have already begun offering more tours to other parts of the continent, as well as new destinations in Northern Africa.

A spokeswoman from Germany's Foreign Ministry said because of several misuses of ADS visas, Germany together with some other EU countries has decided to tighten the issuance of visas to Chinese group tourists. That means more applicants will be interviewed and the possibility of being rejected will also be higher, she told Shanghai Daily in a phone interview.

But she declined to give any specific information about the misuse of visas or the requirements of interviews.

A public relations official with Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome said the country will still grant ADS visas to Chinese tour groups, but it is possible that Italy will set stricter requirements, including asking some of the applicants for an interview.

"We've received a notice from the German Consulate General in Shanghai, saying that some of our clients may be asked for a visa interview," said Wu Derong, general manager of Shanghai CYTS Tours. To date, none of his clients have had to go through an interview to get a visa.Zhao Dexiang, general manager of Shanghai International Travel Service, said the EU countries' visa policy changes will definitely result in fewer tourists.

"Some people may not understand why they should prepare so many documents for the visa. Their confidence in gaining the visa may be dampened," he said.

The agencies said they may consider replacing some Western European routes with tours to Eastern and Northern Europe, and Northern Africa.

The city's first tour group to Tunisia, for instance, will set off on August 2, according to Shanghai CYTS, Shanghai International and Shanghai China International Tours.

(Shanghai Daily July 11, 2005)