Phu Quoc supports nearly 300 abandoned Taiwanese tourists

Phu Quoc City, the airline and the travel agency provided accommodation and sightseeing support for the group of nearly 300 Taiwanese tourists who were abandoned during Tet and returned to Taiwan at noon on February 14.

At noon on February 14, 292 Taiwanese tourists arrived at Phu Quoc airport to fly back to Taiwan on the 12:30 p.m. flight, Winner Company Director Ha Tuan Minh said. Before that, the group of tourists had been supported with accommodation, sightseeing, and transportation according to the schedule.

Director of Kien Giang Department of Tourism Bui Quoc Thai said that on the morning of February 14, the Department, along with relevant agencies and Phu Quoc city, will check the details of the contract between We Love Tour Company (Taiwan) and Winner Company (Vietnam) to have an accurate answer for tourists.

Vietnamese tour guide informed the group of tourists that they had to pay extra money. Photo: Focus Taiwan — Vietnamese tour guide informed the group of tourists that they had to pay extra money. Photo: *Focus Taiwan*

In addition, Mr. Thai condemned the unprofessional behavior of Taiwanese travel agencies when they "abandoned" nearly 300 customers and will punish violations (if any) against companies in Vietnam.

On her personal page, Ms. Huang Chengxi, one of the Taiwanese passengers "abandoned" in Phu Quoc, thanked Winner company for their support. "We are now safe and continuing our journey."

Mr. Ha Tuan Minh said that Taiwan's We Love Tour Company booked services for 3 groups of tourists to Phu Quoc from February 10-14. Taiwan's We Love Tour did not pay as committed by both parties before January 31, so Winner sent a document to the partner requesting to cancel the contract.

On February 9, a group of Taiwanese tourists landed at Phu Quoc airport without a shuttle, a hotel, or a tour guide. After receiving the information, Winner advanced the cost of arranging a car to pick up the guests, renting a hotel for the guests to stay, and extending the payment to the Taiwanese We Love Tour until February 11, but the partner did not fulfill their commitment. Winner Company worked with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City, the Taiwan Tourism Administration, the Phu Quoc City government and police, and came up with a plan to support the tourists.

To continue supporting the group of guests to complete the tour, Winner has received an agreement from all parties to directly collect 720 USD per guest, after which We Love Tour will be responsible for refunding this cost to the guests. Many guests in the group did not agree, so Winner continued to make a second advance payment with a total cost of more than 3 billion VND to support the group of guests to stay, visit and experience the tour program. On the evening of February 13, 2024, a representative of the Taipei Economic Office in Ho Chi Minh City came to Phu Quoc to work with Winner to support the group of guests.

According to information from Bamboo Airways , as of February 14, although payment from Taiwan has not been received, the airline still supported the group of guests to return at noon on February 14, as scheduled.

292 Taiwanese tourists encountered problems in Phu Quoc in the first days of the year, causing great indignation among the group of tourists and the tourism community. On the Today.line.me page, many Taiwanese criticized We Love Tour for "abandoning customers" and "fraud" and called on the government to strictly handle this company.

"However, the government and tourism businesses in Vietnam quickly supported the group to fully experience the pearl island, demonstrating our hospitality," said Mr. Thai.

Phuong Anh

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