Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area “Closed Indefinitely” – Tourism Bureau Announces Refund and Contract Termination Principles for Tour Groups!

▲ Earthquake tourists in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan waiting to be evacuated. (Photo/CFP)

Reported by Lai Wen-xuan / Taipei

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan on the evening of the 8th. The Tourism Bureau has confirmed that there are currently 19 Taiwanese tour groups and 341 people in the area, all of whom are safe. Due to the strong earthquake, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area has been “closed indefinitely” starting today. Outbound tour group itineraries from Taiwan have been successively canceled, and the Tourism Bureau has also announced refund principles for affected tour participants.

Due to the impact of the earthquake, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area has completely suspended tourist receptions. To protect the rights and interests of travelers, the Tourism Bureau, along with the Consumer Protection Committee of the Executive Yuan, the Travel Agent Association of the Republic of China, and the Travel Quality Assurance Association of the Republic of China (Travel Quality Assurance Association), have agreed on principles for contract termination and refund processing for affected tour participants.

▲ Residents in Jiuzhaigou dare not return home after the strong earthquake, moving quilts and tents to outdoor squares to sleep on the ground for the first night. (Photo/Screenshot from Pear Video)

I. Before Departure:
As the earthquake disaster is an event not attributable to either the travel agency or the traveler, until Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area reopens to tourists, either the travel agency or the traveler may terminate the contract, and shall comply with Item 14 (corresponding to Clause 14 of the standardized contract template) of the Foreign Travel Standardized Contract Required and Prohibited Clauses: “When the performance of all or part of this contract becomes impossible due to force majeure or events not attributable to either party, either party may terminate the contract without liability for damages. The travel agency shall submit receipts for administrative fees already paid on behalf or necessary expenses incurred in fulfilling this contract. After verification, such amounts shall be deducted, and the remaining balance shall be refunded to the traveler.”

Either party who becomes aware that the travel activity cannot proceed shall immediately notify the other party and explain the reason; failure to notify resulting in damage to the other party shall incur liability for compensation. To safeguard the safety and interests of the travel group under this contract, after terminating the contract pursuant to the first item, the travel agency shall take necessary measures beneficial to the group travel.” The relevant provisions shall be followed.

▲ Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area closed indefinitely, affecting the itineraries of many tourists. (Photo/CFP)

II. After Departure:
If tourists are affected by the earthquake disaster during the trip and need to change their travel itinerary; to safeguard the safety and interests of the travel group, if this results in additional costs beyond the original plan, according to Item 20 (corresponding to Clause 26 of the standardized contract template) of the Foreign Travel Standardized Contract Required and Prohibited Clauses, the travel agency shall not charge the traveler and shall properly arrange for the traveler’s return to Taiwan.

The Tourism Bureau stated that if tourists and travel agencies encounter disputes over contract termination and refunds that cannot be resolved, they may attach relevant receipts and contracts and file a written complaint with the Travel Quality Assurance Association (5F, No. 9, Section 2, Minquan East Road, Taipei) or the Tourism Bureau (9F, No. 290, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei); for related travel inquiries, you can call the Tourism Bureau’s toll-free number 0800-211734 or the Travel Quality Assurance Association complaint hotline 02-25995088.

Lion Travel announced that from now until August 31, it will proactively notify customers of tour cancellations without additional charges. Cola Travel also cancels Jiuzhaigou tours from now until August 31, offering full refunds for cancellations, with approximately 6 affected tour groups initially estimated. Groups departing after September 1 will be decided upon after further announcements from the scenic area and airlines.

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