The Tourism Bureau releases a “blacklist”! 52 travel agencies across Taiwan are problematic

As the winter holiday travel season approaches, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau has announced a blacklist of 52 travel agencies to protect the rights and interests of travelers. The list includes: 5 agencies whose travel business licenses have been revoked, 32 that have applied for dissolution, 2 that have been blacklisted by the Taiwan Bankers Association for refusal of dealings, 4 that have not purchased performance guarantee insurance, 3 ordered to cease operations, and 6 that have voluntarily suspended business. The public is advised to use licensed travel agencies when purchasing tours or flights to ensure their own protection.

The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announces the operational status of travel agencies between June 24, 2017 (106/6/24) and January 22, 2018 (107/1/22), as follows:

I. Five agencies whose travel business licenses have been revoked:

1. Longqi (Taipei City; although its travel agency bond was forcibly executed and cleared, it did not replenish the required bond as mandated)

2. Zhongying (Taipei City; although its travel agency bond was forcibly executed and cleared, it did not replenish the required bond as mandated)

3. Genesis International (Taipei City; expelled by the Travel Quality Assurance Association of the Republic of China [hereinafter referred to as the Quality Assurance Association], and failed to replenish the bond as required)

4. Shangpin (Chiayi City; expelled by the Quality Assurance Association and failed to replenish the bond as required)

5. Yuanding (Kaohsiung City; although its travel agency bond was forcibly executed and cleared, it did not replenish the required bond as mandated)

II. Thirty-two agencies that have applied for dissolution:

Taipei City: Unlimited Travel, Hongcai, Tianfu, Happy Paradise, Kangyi, Instant Booking, Taiwan Good Luck, Juxing, Jianquan, Bolo, Lingxiang International, Shengguang, Zion International, Gangxiang, Xixin, Taishan, Shanghai Tourism International.

New Taipei City: Junhang, Yaxiang, Jiabang International.

Yilan County: Ruitong

Taoyuan City: Crazy Family.

Yunlin County: Dabeihuan, Ruyilun, Huazhan.

Tainan City: Mao f.

Kaohsiung City: Youyou, Lihao, Dingwang International, Yaoyang.

Pingtung County: Heyan.

Kinmen County: Meijianan.

III. Two agencies blacklisted by the Taiwan Bankers Association for refusal of dealings:

Xiangtai (Taipei City), Chunhe (Hsinchu City).

IV. Four agencies that have not purchased performance guarantee insurance:

Jietai (Taipei City), Seven Seas International (Taipei City), Puti International (Taichung City), Taicheng (Taichung City).

V. Three agencies ordered to cease operations:

1. Daye (Taoyuan City; abruptly ceased operations, failed to fulfill travel product sales commitments, and exhibited financial conditions posing risks to traveler rights)

2. Ruixuan International (Taichung City; abruptly ceased operations, failed to fulfill travel product sales commitments, and exhibited financial conditions posing risks to traveler rights)

3. Changgu (Kaohsiung City; company financial difficulties led to abrupt closure and employee layoffs, with financial conditions posing risks to traveler rights)

VI. Six agencies that have voluntarily suspended business (these agencies must apply for resumption upon expiration of suspension):

1. China International Travel Service (suspended until 107/12/31, Taipei City)

2. Earth Home International (Closed until July 31, 2018, New Taipei City)

3. Nissho (Closed until August 31, 2018, Taichung City)

4. Yudian (Closed until June 20, 2018, Taichung City)

5. Shenggong (Closed until September 17, 2018, Tainan City)

6. Anmei (Closed until September 4, 2018, Kaohsiung City).

The Tourism Bureau stated that travelers can use the toll-free number 0800-211734 for tourism inquiries or call the Travel Quality Assurance Association’s complaint hotline at 02-25995088. Additionally, if travelers encounter emergencies abroad, they can seek assistance from the “Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Emergency Contact Center for Taiwanese Abroad (Global Toll-Free Number 800-0885-0885).”