Airbnb sparks controversy: Taipei says there are legal youth hostels with better value at just NT$500

▲ The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism calls on the public to choose licensed hotels and hostels. (Photo / Grand Hotel Taipei, by reporter Chou Chen-keng)

By Chen Jui-chung / Staff Writer

Recently, an incident involving a foreign tourist who experienced an accident while staying at an unlicensed hotel via Airbnb occurred. Today, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism released a 30-second video titled “Taipei: Delicious, Fun, and Comfortable to Stay In,” urging travelers to look for official hotel signage to identify safe and legal accommodations.

This year, Taiwan’s tourist arrivals have surpassed the 10 million mark, and with domestic travelers taking advantage of weekends for leisure trips, the demand for accommodation is high during peak travel seasons. The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism stated that when choosing a hotel, the public should not focus solely on cost-performance value but also consider legality and safety. Travelers can check whether a hotel is legal through websites such as Taiwan’s Inn Portal or Taipei Tourism. Inside the accommodation, they can also look for the hotel business license and the H-shaped gold sign. “The hotel business license and dedicated signage” represent government-certified approval and serve as a safety talisman for guests staying in hotels.

▲ Hotel business license. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism, the same below)

The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism said that the “H gold sign” for hotels is a qualification that lodging operators must earn by passing numerous strict evaluations. They must comply with urban planning zoning and be thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Taipei City Construction Management Office, Fire Department, and Department of Information and Tourism before receiving the certification. Even after becoming legal, hotels are still subject to annual public safety reporting and fire equipment inspections, ensuring a rigorously vetted safe environment by professionals. In contrast, illegal daily rental units may pose risks such as carbon monoxide poisoning due to poor design, fire hazards from lack of smoke detectors, or fraud from unscrupulous booking operators, which are concerning.

International travelers visiting Taiwan on independent tours often book their accommodation online. Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism DirectorYea-Yen Chiensaid,While many international booking websites claim to offer accommodation information for tens of thousands of hotels worldwide, they do not necessarily ensure the safety of travelers’ stays. Taipei offers a diverse range of accommodations, and budget-conscious backpackers can still find youth hostels starting from just NT$500 per bed. These options have government-certified hygiene, service quality, and security, making them invaluable for safety and peace of mind, offering even better cost-performance.

▲ Dedicated hotel signage.

The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism also stated that due to the recent incident where a foreign tourist experienced an accident while staying at an unlicensed hotel via Airbnb, it has proactively sent letters and communications to Airbnb. Yea-Yen Chien publicly urged that Airbnb has been fined in major global cities such as New York and Barcelona for violating local laws. Eric Schneiderman, the Attorney General of New York State, once revealed that 72% of Airbnb’s 25,500 listings in New York violated local laws, demanding that the site comply with local regulations. Chien stated that letters and official documents have been sent to various foreign websites urging them to respect Taiwan’s laws. Additionally, notices will be sent to airlines and tourism organizations in related Asian cities. However, before that, she urged the public to check for legal certifications when staying in hotels to avoid frequent disputes.

Sick of work and school? Really want to travel?
Download the “ETtoday News Cloud APP” and take a virtual trip with us →
iOS:https://goo.gl/rmIDdx
Android:https://goo.gl/XPe8Uj