8 travel agencies have ceased operations – pay extra attention before traveling

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

With the approach of holidays and winter vacation, more people are traveling abroad. The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications reminds consumers to pay close attention to the operational status of travel agencies when choosing group or individual tours. Recently, the bureau announced a list of travel agencies that have ceased operations, including those whose licenses have been revoked: 2 agencies – Jinqun Travel Agency (Taichung City) and Qianhong Travel Agency (Miaoli City); 1 agency that has voluntarily suspended operations – Xianglong Travel Agency (Kaohsiung City, until 2011/11/30); and 5 agencies that have been dissolved – Feichi (Taipei City, dissolved by order of the Taipei City Government), Wangjia (Taipei City, self-dissolved), Dingji (Taipei City, self-dissolved), Dongming (Taipei City, self-dissolved), and Zhanqun (Taipei City, self-dissolved). Details on tour precautions and the list of these agencies can be found on the Tourism Bureau’s administrative information website under “Press Releases” or the “Consumer Protection Section.”

The Tourism Bureau stated that information about licensed travel agencies can be found on its administrative information website under “Tourism-related Industries” – “Travel Agencies.” Names of qualified tour guides and leaders can also be checked via the “Consumer Protection Section” on the same site. In addition, the Travel Quality Assurance Association of the Republic of China has published quarterly reference prices for tour packages on its website, which consumers can view online.

It is recommended that travelers visit the travel agency in person before signing a contract to understand its operational status, read the contract carefully, and then sign. When making payments, remember to request an official receipt for collection and payment, and confirm that the travel agency you are dealing with has purchased performance bond insurance and liability insurance. If any disputes arise after signing the contract, consumers may submit a written complaint along with the official receipt and contract to the Quality Assurance Association (Address: 11F, No. 78, Section 2, Chang’an East Road, Taipei City) or the Tourism Bureau (Address: 9F, No. 290, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei City).

For related travel inquiries, you may also call the Tourism Bureau’s toll-free hotline: 0800-211734, the Quality Assurance Association’s toll-free complaint hotline: 0800-558185, the Taipei Travel Agents Association: 02-25312191, the Kaohsiung Travel Agents Association: 07-2413881, or the Taiwan Provincial Travel Agents Association Federation: 05-2772715. Additionally, if travelers encounter emergencies abroad, they can contact the “Overseas Emergency Assistance Center for Taiwanese Travelers” for help. The global toll-free emergency assistance hotline for travelers abroad is: 800-0885-0885.