Winter Vacation Outbound Travelers Please Note: The Quality Assurance Association Announces Reference Prices for Tour Groups from January to March

Reporter You T-Ru / Comprehensive Report

The peak winter vacation season is approaching, and the Lunar New Year holiday lasts six days. Currently, new annual tour packages are gradually being listed, and the travel market is becoming increasingly active. Due to the concentrated demand for outbound travel during the New Year period, flight seats are in short supply. It is recommended that those planning to travel abroad plan as early as possible. However, tour group prices vary across different destinations, and travelers facing a dazzling array of quotes may wonder how to choose a safe and high-quality itinerary.


▲ Winter vacation is a great time for many travelers to plan trips. The image shows a schematic of Tokyo, Japan. (Photo / From Wikipedia)

The Travel Quality Assurance Association of the Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the Quality Assurance Association) reminds consumers that it is essential to know the reasonable tour costs for each destination before signing up, so as to enjoy suitable itineraries at fair prices. The association also released the “Reference Prices for Tour Groups from January to March 2015” and provides explanations on price fluctuations, magnitudes, and sales features as follows.

In Southeast Asia, winter vacation and Spring Festival tours mainly focus on family-friendly packages. Two new budget airlines have recently joined the Bangkok route, and there are charter flights to Boracay and Cebu starting from the winter vacation period. In Japan, the overall itineraries will still focus on hot spring bathing and snow appreciation/snow play, along with theme parks such as Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Huis Ten Bosch as this season’s main sales highlights. The New Year winter vacation period from February 18–22 mainly features family-friendly theme park packages. Hokkaido’s winter highlight is the Sapporo Snow Festival, held from February 5–11. The Abashiri drift ice sightseeing cruise on broken ice runs from January 20 to March 31.

Korea mainly offers itineraries themed around winter snow appreciation, snow play, and ski resort vacations. Korea holds an annual “Ice Trout Fishing Festival” in January, and some itineraries include this experience. In mainland China, prices are reduced by NT$1,000–5,000 or remain stable from January to March; prices rise by about NT$8,000–12,000 during the Spring Festival. In the U.S., West Coast packages feature the Jeremy Lin Support Tour, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, the Skywalk at the West Canyon, Disneyland, and Universal Studios.

Alaska focuses on winter auroras as its selling point, while the East Coast highlights cities in the U.S. and Canada. Guam and Palau offer customizable independent travel options with hotels of varying grades and fully packaged products. In winter, Europe has shorter daylight hours and cold weather, so itineraries are designed with an emphasis on indoor attractions such as museums. Particular attention is paid to meal arrangements, including Michelin-starred restaurants. During the Lunar New Year, meals and accommodations are upgraded, with arrangements made for five-star hotels.

The Quality Assurance Association Announces Tour Group Prices for Each Destination