Protecting consumer rights: Tourism Bureau announces 15 problematic travel agencies

▲ The Tourism Bureau reminds consumers to choose licensed travel agencies when planning trips. The photo shows Tokyo Disneyland. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

As the summer travel season approaches, to protect consumer rights, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has announced 15 problematic travel agencies between February 5 and June 11. Among them, eight have had their travel agency licenses revoked and been ordered to cease operations, while four voluntarily applied for temporary suspension.

The eight travel agencies that had their licenses revoked and were ordered to cease operations are: Global Travel (Taipei City), United Transport (Taipei City), Xun’an (Taipei City), Shangyun (Taipei City), Jinsha Express (Taipei City), Tatung Holidays (Kaohsiung City), Kinta (Kaohsiung City), and Jingyuan International (Kaohsiung City).

The four travel agencies that voluntarily applied for temporary suspension are: Asia Travel International (Taipei City), New Scenery Show (Taipei City), Back Mountain Ivy (Hualien City), and Haoshuai Travel Agency (Taichung City). Two travel agencies were listed as refused customers by the Clearing House: Emei (Taoyuan County) and Jingyuan International (Kaohsiung City). The agencies that dissolved or failed to purchase performance guarantee insurance as required are Taiwan-Japan Travel Agency (Taipei City) and Feichi Travel Agency (Taipei City).

The Tourism Bureau reminds consumers to choose licensed travel agencies when planning trips. Information on legal travel agencies can be found on the Tourism Bureau’s administrative information website. Before signing a contract with a travel agency, it is best to visit the agency’s office to understand its business status, carefully read the contract terms, and then sign. International airfares, refund, and cancellation policies vary; travelers should fully understand the relevant information before purchasing tickets and choose options that meet their needs to ensure their own rights.

The Tourism Bureau stated that consumers can also use the bureau’s toll-free number: 0800-211734, or the Product Quality Assurance Association’s toll-free complaint hotline: 0800-558185 for tourism-related inquiries. Travelers who encounter emergencies abroad can contact the “Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Emergency Contact Center for Overseas Travelers” for assistance. The hotline number is 800-0885-0885.