Be careful when signing up for overseas travel during the holidays – Tourism Bureau unveils 13 problematic travel agencies

▲ Japan has always been a top travel destination for Taiwanese, and the snow-covered Otaru Canal in winter is a must-see scenic spot. (Photo / Screenshot from the official Welcome to Sapporo website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

With winter break underway and the consecutive Lunar New Year and 228 holidays approaching, it’s peak travel season for many tourists. On the 27th, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau not only announced the revocation of business licenses for five travel agencies, applications for suspension by five others, and the dissolution of three more, but also reminded travelers to book tour packages or purchase international flight tickets only through legally licensed travel agencies to ensure protection.

The Tourism Bureau stated that from October 2, 2014, to January 21, 2015, five travel agencies had their licenses revoked for failing to pay the required security deposit on time. These are: Qiji International, Beihang, Xiongtian, Yuanhe, and Fuxia.

In addition, five travel agencies applied for suspension on their own, including Kaohsiung Guilin Landscape International (suspension extended for one year until 104/11/17), Jinran (suspension extended for one year until 104/12/25), Shimei (suspended for one year until 104/12/14), Wanfeng (suspended for one year until 104/12/18), and National International (suspended for one year until 104/12/30).

The three dissolved travel agencies are Yangfan Travel Agency in New Taipei City, Waiwai Travel Agency in Taipei City, and Huandong Travel Agency in Taitung County. Travelers are advised to pay extra attention.

▲ Whether traveling independently or in a group, when purchasing flight tickets or tour packages from a travel agency, it's important to check whether the agency is legitimate. (Illustration / Photo by DAGUCHI)

The Tourism Bureau also reminds travelers of four key points to consider when booking tour packages or international flight tickets through a travel agency:

One,When joining a group tour, travelers should choose a legally licensed travel agency to sign the travel contract for better protection and should confirm that the person handling the booking is a qualified tourism industry professional. Information on legal travel agencies and professionals, certified tour leaders and guides, things to note when joining group tours, as well as the list of agencies mentioned in the announcement can be found on the bureau’s Administrative Information Network (http://admin.taiwan.net.tw) under the Consumer Protection section.

Additionally, the “reference selling prices” for quarterly tour packages can be viewed on the Travel Quality Assurance Association website (http://www.travel.org.tw). If you opt for a travel product priced below the reference price, it’s wise to do more research and compare the details.

Two,Before signing a contract with a travel agency, travelers must carefully read the terms and itinerary details, understand the agency’s business status, request a receipt for payment made via collection and remittance, and confirm that performance guarantee insurance and liability insurance before departure have been arranged.

Three,International flight tickets come with varying refund policies depending on price differences. For example, discounted tickets often come with stricter restrictions. Travelers should fully understand the relevant information and make careful choices after comparing options.

With more and more low-cost airlines operating in Taiwan, incidents of disputes caused by passengers’ unfamiliarity with service details, flight delays, or unexpected cancellations are on the rise. Therefore, travelers must also familiarize themselves with the precautions for flying with low-cost airlines and clarify the rights and obligations of both parties to help reduce disputes.

Four,Before traveling abroad, please check in advance whether your passport is valid for at least six months. If not, renew it as soon as possible. Travel agencies handling ticket or tour bookings should also advise and assist travelers in checking passport validity and necessary documents.

The Tourism Bureau stated,For travel inquiries, you can call the bureau’s toll-free number 0800-211734 or the Travel Quality Assurance Association’s complaint hotline 02-25068185. Additionally, if Taiwanese nationals encounter emergencies abroad, they can seek assistance

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