By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
With the summer travel season in full swing, the Tourism Bureau has released a list of 29 problematic travel agencies across Taiwan and advises the public to select only legally licensed travel agencies. Before signing a contract with any agency, always read the contract terms and itinerary content thoroughly. When making payments, request an official receipt for collection and payment services and confirm that the agency has secured performance bond insurance and purchased liability insurance prior to departure.
The Tourism Bureau releases a list of 29 problematic travel agencies. (Image source / Taipei International Travel Fair)
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau, in accordance with Article 43 of the Development of Tourism Act, announces the operational status of travel agencies from January 13, 2016, to June 20, 2016, as follows:
I. Two travel agencies had their licenses revoked:
- Xiang’an (Taipei City, expelled by the Quality Assurance Association, failed to replenish the bond)
- Yi Quan Travel Agency (Taichung City, announced withdrawal by the Quality Assurance Association, failed to replenish the bond)
II. Twenty travel agencies applied for dissolution:
Youke International (Taipei City), Kaiqiang International (Taipei City), Xile International (Taipei City), Jianming International (Taipei City), Global Express (Taipei City), Tianwen (Taipei City), Guanlun International (Taipei City), Ruth (Taipei City), Tianlv (Taipei City), Jili Helen (Taipei City), Tianying (Taipei City), Yayue (New Taipei City), Iron Man International (New Taipei City), Daxiong (Taichung City), Yuanjing (Taichung City), Shenghao (Taichung City), Xingkong (Changhua County), Haingao (Changhua County), Harley (Kaohsiung City), Zhisheng International (Kaohsiung City).
III. Two agencies listed as non-cooperative accounts by the Bill Exchange: Jinrui (Kinmen County), Nanwan (Kaohsiung City).
IV. Two travel agencies failed to purchase performance bond insurance as required: Oya (Taipei City), Longxifu (Penghu County).
V. Three travel agencies voluntarily applied for business suspension:
Xinxi International (suspended until 2016/12/31, Taipei City), Rixin (suspended until 2017/6/14, Taichung City), Dongdong (suspended until 2017/6/14, Taichung City)
The Tourism Bureau stated that for travel inquiries, you can call their toll-free number 0800-211734 or the Quality Assurance Association complaint hotline 02-25068185. Additionally, if travelers encounter emergencies abroad, they can seek assistance from the “Foreign Travel Emergency Rescue Contact Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (global toll-free number 800-0885-0885).”