Taiwan (China) fines company that abandoned customers in Phu Quoc nearly 26 thousand USD

Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau (China) announced that it would fine We Love Tour Company – the company that abandoned nearly 300 tourists in Phu Quoc – NT$810,000 (US$25,839) for violating tourism regulations and damaging the reputation of the local tourism industry.

Taiwanese (Chinese) tourists check in at Phu Quoc airport.

The fine came a day after authorities suspended We Love Tour for three months, after the company changed and canceled the schedules of 292 tourists who were on vacation in Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam from February 11 to 14, 2024.

At a press conference on February 17, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TQAA) announced the misconduct, especially related to We Love Tour's Phu Quoc tour packages, including 10 tourist groups that were not provided with suitable accommodation, food or transportation.

Besides, this company also does not sign contracts with Vietnamese travel companies to manage the group's tour packages.

At the same time, 6/10 tourist groups coming to Phu Quoc were not granted tourism contracts, including 1 group that did not even have a Taiwanese tour manager as required.

Taiwan's Tourism Bureau Director Chou Yung-hui (left) speaks at a press conference about the incident in which We Love Tour abandoned nearly 300 tourists in Phu Quoc (Vietnam). (Photo: Focus Taiwan)

TQAA determined that We Love Tour’s violations of tourist groups to Phu Quoc (Vietnam) violated tourism regulations and laws. Therefore, TQAA decided to fine the company NT$810,000 (US$25,839).

Also at the press conference, TQAA Secretary-General Wu Mei-hui said We Love Tour had collected about NT$13 million for the tour packages it booked for customers until April. The company currently owes customers about NT$20 million (US$637,000) and is unable to pay.

A representative of TQAA added that We Love Tour not only committed fraud against customers and partners, but also seriously damaged the reputation of about 4,000 Taiwanese travel agencies. TQAA revoked We Love Tour's membership on February 15.

According to TQAA, before abandoning 292 guests in Phu Quoc, We Love Tour had never been fined or accused of fraud by guests.

Previously, upon learning of the incident involving nearly 300 Taiwanese (Chinese) tourists being abandoned in Phu Quoc, Kien Giang authorities and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City made efforts to resolve the situation, supporting the Taiwanese (Chinese) group to stay and visit according to their original schedule and return to Taiwan (Chinese) at noon on February 14.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dai-loan-trung-quoc-phat-cong-ty-bo-roi-khach-o-phu-quoc-gan-26-nghin-usd-post796635.html

Source: https://baolangson.vn/du-lich/644903-dai-loan-trung-quoc-phat-cong-ty-bo-roi-khach-o-phu-quoc-gan-26-nghin-usd.html