Did a Mainland Chinese tourist get beaten by a tour bus driver in Taitung? Tourism Bureau: Investigation and punishment underway

▲Shocking report of a Mainland Chinese tourist being allegedly beaten by a Taiwanese driver in Zhiben, Taitung. (Photo / Eastern TV News)

Reported by Chen Shichang / Taipei

A shocking incident occurred in Zhiben, Taitung, where a Mainland Chinese tourist was allegedly beaten by a Taiwanese bus driver. The Tourism Bureau reported on the 31st that after investigation, the victim, surnamed Chen, was part of a tour group organized by China’s Henan Zhongyuan International Travel Group Co., Ltd. Upon arrival in Taiwan, he told the tour guide that he wanted to leave the group throughout the trip to visit friends, but the request was denied due to non-compliance with regulations. On the evening of the 30th, he got into an argument with the driver which turned physical. After the assault, Chen reported the incident to the Wenquan Police Station in Taitung County and filed assault charges against the two tour bus drivers. The case has been accepted by police who are pursuing criminal liability according to the law.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau stated that after receiving the report, it launched an investigation and asked the Eastern Coastal Scenic Area Administration under the bureau to send personnel to assess the situation. It also requested the national travel industry association, the Travel Agent Association of the Republic of China, to notify local travel industry associations to assist in handling the matter.The Tourism Bureau pointed out that after verification, if the hosting agency, Shitong Travel Agency, and the tour guide are found to have violated regulations or been involved in the incident, they will be severely punished according to regulations. The Directorate General of Highways has also been asked to investigate the improper conduct of the tour bus drivers involved in the assault.

Preliminary information indicates that the conflict may have arisen when the tour guide of the group was chatting with drivers of two other tour groups at a convenience store in front of the hotel in Zhiben, Taitung, around 10 p.m. the previous evening. The conversation involved the earlier unpleasant incident where traveler Chen was denied permission to leave the group during the itinerary. Coincidentally, Chen happened to pass by and overheard the conversation, which led to an argument and then a physical fight.

The Tourism Bureau emphasized that it places great importance on the service quality of travel agencies hosting Mainland Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan. Regarding this case, which allegedly involved a conflict arising from the denial of a request to leave the group, apart from ordering the hosting agency, Shitong Travel Agency, to report to the bureau to understand the reasons and sequence of events, the bureau will severely punish the company and any tour guides found to have acted improperly or violated regulations. Additionally, the overall itinerary arrangements of the tour group will also be investigated for any potential rule violations.