95% of camping sites are illegal: Hochen Tan to release list of violators by end of March

The Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications yesterday released a list of 85 legally operating camping sites. It was surprising to many that out of nearly 1,800 camping sites across Taiwan, less than 5% are legal. Today (17th), Minister of Transportation and Communications Hochen Tan stated that although it is not easy for the Tourism Bureau to take on this responsibility, they have not been bold enough. Not releasing the list of illegal sites may be due to pressure from various parties, and he will require the Tourism Bureau to publish the first batch of such a list by the end of March.

Hochen Tan believes that when the Tourism Bureau announces the list of legal camping sites, it should also simultaneously release the list of illegal ones. In the past, there was no clear governing authority for camping sites, leading to all kinds of locations being used, including agricultural and forestry land. Now that legal camping sites have been announced, the list of illegal ones should also be made public.

Hochen Tan said the more difficult issue now is that some well-intentioned camping sites have built up a good reputation but are operating on land with improper usage classifications. This is currently a tricky issue for both central and local governments — these operators cannot be labeled as breaking the law, but rather as not complying with regulations.

Hochen Tan said he will ask the Tourism Bureau to set out a work schedule, or at least propose a rough timeline, so that local governments can complete their inspections. Even if they can't finish in time, the release can be done in phases — for example, the first batch could include either the largest operators or those with the most serious violations in the area.

For those who illegally occupy land or are completely non-compliant and unable to make improvements, they should also be informed upon publication that they can terminate contracts early or reduce investment. “The law cannot be changed for you.”