Summer Travel Alert: 25 Problematic Travel Agencies Blacklisted

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

As the peak summer vacation travel season arrives, many families arrange trips during this time. To safeguard the rights of travel consumers, the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has, based on Article 43 of the Development of Tourism Act, published a list of travel agencies whose operations between January 23, 2018, and June 28, 2018, warrant attention and avoidance. This list serves as a reference for consumers to prevent disputes over travel products and itineraries from affecting — or even harming — their rights.

I. Seven travel agencies had their licenses revoked:
(1) Da Shi Jie International (New Taipei City): Suspended operations for over six months without reporting to the bureau as required.
(2) Zhi Jian (Taoyuan City): The travel agency's security deposit was forcibly collected, but it failed to replenish the required deposit as mandated.
(3) Chang Gu (Kaohsiung City): Expelled by the Travel Quality Assurance Association of the Republic of China [hereinafter referred to as the QA Association], and failed to replenish the required guarantee as required.
(4) Rui Xuan International (Taichung City): Expelled by the QA Association, and did not replenish the required guarantee as stipulated.
(5) Xiang Tai (Taipei City): Suspended operations for more than six months, failed to report to the bureau as required, and did not replenish the guarantee.
(6) Lian Hua (Taipei City): Did not apply for dissolution registration as required; company registration revoked by Taipei City Government.
(7) Tian Mao (Taichung City): Expelled by the QA Association and failed to replenish the required guarantee as required.
 
II. One travel agency had its license canceled:
Xiang Lai (Changhua County): The company’s establishment registration was revoked by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and accordingly, its travel agency license was also canceled.
 
III. One travel agency was listed as persona non grata by the clearinghouse:
An Qi (Taipei City).
 
IV. Two travel agencies ordered to cease operations:
Le Feng (Taipei City): The company representative is unable to perform duties due to certain reasons, affecting normal business operations; Hai Xin (Penghu County): Collected fees from travelers but failed to provide promised travel services, with no signs of ongoing business.
 
V. Fourteen travel agencies applied for dissolution:
Self Travel Net (Taipei City), Hong Tai (Taipei City), Jie Tai (Taipei City), Xin Dong (Taipei City), Jing Zhi (Taipei City), Qi Hai International (Taipei City), An An An (Taipei City), Mao Li (New Taipei City), Qian Yu International (Taoyuan City), Tai Cheng (Taichung City), Ji Li (Taichung City), Tian He (Kaohsiung City), You You (Kaohsiung City), Yuan Guan International (Lienchiang County).
 

In addition, the Tourism Bureau stated that for travel inquiries, you can call their toll-free number 0800-211734 or the QA Association complaint hotline 02-25995088. Travelers who encounter emergencies abroad can seek help from the “Foreign Emergency Contact Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Global Toll-Free Number: 800-0885-0885).”
 

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