Beware of Group Tours! 'Well-Known Taiwanese Travel Agency' Ordered to Suspend Operations Amid Financial Difficulties – Full List of 21 Revoked and Dissolved Agencies

With the peak season for domestic and international travel during summer vacation, many people are choosing to join tour groups or arrange trips through travel agencies. However, Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Tourism Bureau recently released its latest 'Travel Industry Management and Operational Abnormalities List,' warning consumers to confirm the operational status of agencies before signing up or making payments.

The latest data shows that one travel agency has been ordered to suspend operations for three months due to financial irregularities, while nine others have had their licenses revoked or canceled. Additionally, as many as 60 travel agencies are currently in a suspended state.

Financial Issues Prevent Contract Fulfillment: 'Universal International Travel Agency' Suspended for Three Months

According to information released by the Tourism Bureau, 'Universal International Travel Agency' (Unified Business Number: 84121204, Registration Number: 515900) has been found to have significant financial and operational abnormalities, rendering it unable to fulfill contractual obligations with travelers. Under relevant provisions of the 'Tourism Development Act' and the 'Administrative Penalty Act,' the bureau has officially imposed a penalty, ordering the company to cease all travel business operations starting July 17 for a period of three months.

Failure to Pay Guarantee Deposit or Maintain Insurance: Nine Travel Agencies Have Licenses Revoked

Additionally, this year, nine travel agencies have had their travel industry licenses legally revoked or canceled by the Tourism Bureau and are no longer permitted to operate. The main reasons include failure to pay the required travel agency guarantee deposit, failure to replenish the deposit after being expelled from the Travel Quality Assurance Association (TQAA), or failure to maintain mandatory performance guarantee insurance.

List of Agencies with Revoked or Canceled Licenses (Total: 9) - Qingxiang Travel Agency - Caotun Travel Agency - Tiaotiao Island Local Daily Travel Agency - Rainbow International Travel Agency - Xiuyou Travel Agency - Junyu Travel Agency - Shengyun International Travel Agency - Weishun Travel Agency - Danqu Tao International Travel Agency

Agencies with Guarantee Deposits Seized by Court, Dissolved, or Suspended

The Tourism Bureau has also compiled and updated a list of other travel agencies facing operational restrictions, advising the public to remain vigilant.

Agencies with Guarantee Deposits Seized or Executed by Court (Total: 5) - Harmony Travel Agency - Luyuan Travel Agency - Huada Travel Agency - Yangqi International Travel Agency - Fengrui Travel Agency

Approved for Dissolution or Tax Registration Canceled (Total: 12) - Lepee Travel Agency - Yongfeng Travel Agency - Guoshi Travel Agency - Yaoyang Travel Agency - Feifan Zhilv Travel Agency - Mobile International Travel Agency - Xianghe Travel Agency - Dongfu Travel Agency - Kangtai Travel Service - Zhengyi Travel Agency - Defeng Travel Agency - Sanfu Travel Agency

Self-Reported Suspension or Extended Suspension (Total: 60) - Qicheng - Mifan - Anmei - Enjoy Travel - Dailai International - Hecheng - Baishi - Kuahai - Xingchen - Rihui International Comprehensive - Jialexing - Tianqi - Jinyuanyu - Asia - Miqi International - Feimei Yuntong - Jucheng - Huaxia International - Benshi Life - Ole - Huifeng - Jingdian - Huaxia Dadi - Fu'an - Yaxin International - Xiaoma International - Taiwan International - Xinli - Xiang Taiwan - Hequn - Jinhang International - Shifang - Youzhi - Jinchang - Xinglong - Taixiang - Zaixing International - Jinxing - Ruiqi - Baike - Dahong - Shenghan - Taiwan Convenience - Taipower - Zhongzheng - Tianwangyou - And many others

Tourism Bureau Urges: Follow the 'Three Musts' Before Booking to Protect Your Rights

The Tourism Bureau particularly reminds consumers not to base travel decisions solely on price or itinerary content during the summer season. Instead, they should implement the following protective measures:

- Verify Qualifications: Before departure, check the Tourism Bureau’s administrative information website or the Taiwan Tourism Association to confirm whether the agency holds a valid license and is operating normally. - Sign a Contract: Always sign the standardized tourism contract prescribed by the Tourism Bureau to ensure clarity of rights and obligations for both parties. - Confirm Protection: Ensure the agency has legally purchased performance guarantee insurance and liability insurance to prevent financial losses due to the agency’s financial problems or unexpected incidents.

Source: Tourism Bureau Editor: Tsai Hui-Hsin