Japan Travel Booms, but 'Bus Shortage Crisis' Looms Before End of May — 500 Tours May Face No Transport

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Japan Travel Faces Another Bus Shortage Crisis! Travel to Japan has become so popular that the Republic of China Travel Agents Association estimates over 500 Taiwan-based tour groups may struggle to secure buses before the end of May, and travelers should take note. In response, the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stated that it has conveyed the needs of Taiwan’s travel industry to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism via the Interchange Association, Japan.

▲ The scenic hot springs of Nyuto Onsen in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan. (Photo / Yu Ru, staff reporter; file photo)

The association pointed out that in July 2013, Taiwan tour groups visiting Hokkaido faced a severe bus shortage in Japan — and now the nightmare is repeating itself. Recently, some tour groups have had to switch to taxis or subways due to an inability to rent tour buses, and the situation is not expected to improve before the end of May.

The Tourism Bureau stated that if a travel group's itinerary is affected due to a lack of buses after recruitment, agencies must ensure traveler rights in accordance with contracts. Travel agencies can coordinate with travelers to find feasible alternatives. Operators must also calculate and compensate travelers for breach of contract penalties proportionally, based on the time of notification, the distance from departure, and other factors. Travelers and agencies can also discuss delaying the trip or transferring to another group as solutions.

Taiwan saw 2.21 million travelers visit Japan in 2013, a more than 50% increase from the previous year, mainly due to increased flights and routes by Taiwanese and Japanese airlines, along with the strong entry of low-cost carriers into the market, leading to a significant rise in both flights and passenger capacity. Travel industry insiders estimate that Taiwan’s outbound travelers to Japan will exceed 3 million in 2014, making Taiwan the top country