Request for clarification from Kien Giang province.

Accordingly, the Vietnam National Tourism Administration received information regarding an incident on February 9, 2024, where a Vietnamese travel service company hosted a group of nearly 300 Taiwanese tourists on a tour in Phu Quoc, Kien Giang province. During the tour, the company allegedly demanded an additional payment of USD 720 per person to continue providing services or face termination of the tour.

300 Taiwanese tourists abandoned in Phu Quoc: Kien Giang province urged to clarify the incident.

To protect the rights of tourists and prevent misinformation about the incident that could negatively impact the image of Vietnam as a tourist destination, the Vietnam National Tourism Administration requests the Kien Giang Provincial Department of Tourism to investigate and clarify the information regarding the incident and provide official information to the media, reporting back to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration as soon as possible.

The stranded group of tourists boarded a flight back home.

Previously, on February 13th, the Kien Giang Department of Tourism reported receiving information about a group of 292 Taiwanese tourists being abandoned in Phu Quoc. The Department issued a document requesting Winner International Tourism Co., Ltd. in Phu Quoc, the company that assisted in receiving the Taiwanese tourists, to provide a detailed explanation of the incident and ensure the rights of the tourists.

According to information provided by Mr. Ha Tuan Minh, Director of Winner International Travel Co., Ltd. in Phu Quoc, We Love Tour Company from Taiwan booked services for three groups of his company to Phu Quoc from February 10-14 (Lunar New Year holiday). However, We Love Tour Company from Taiwan did not make payment as agreed by both parties, which was before January 31. Therefore, Winner Company sent a letter to its partner requesting the cancellation of the contract.

Quick update at 12 PM on February 15th: Clarification underway regarding the abandonment of 300 Taiwanese tourists.

On February 9th, the Taiwanese tour group arrived at Phu Quoc airport without transportation, hotel accommodation, or a tour guide. Upon receiving this information, Winner Company in Phu Quoc agreed to advance the costs to arrange four transportation trips, book hotel accommodations for the tourists, and extend the payment deadline to We Love Tour Company of Taiwan until February 11th. However, by that date, Winner Company had still not received the payment, so they contacted the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, the Phu Quoc city government, and the police to gather information and develop a plan to assist the tourists.

The tour group continued their visit to Phu Quoc after the agreements were signed.

Winner Company had agreed with all parties to directly collect USD 720 per person to continue the tour program, after which We Love Tour Company in Taiwan would be responsible for reimbursing this cost to the tourists. However, because many tourists in the group did not accept this, Winner Company made a second advance payment, totaling over VND 3 billion, to support the 292 tourists in staying safely in Phu Quoc and participating in the tour program, while also extending the payment deadline to We Love Tour Company in Taiwan until February 26, 2024. On the evening of February 13, representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City visited Phu Quoc to work with Winner Company regarding support for the tourist group.

Quick Highlights at 8 PM on the 5th day of Tet: Nearly 300 'abandoned' tourists have left Phu Quoc | Tet reunion for female workers

Mr. Bui Quoc Thai, Director of the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, stated: "We condemn the unprofessional conduct of the Taiwanese travel agencies in this incident and will take decisive action, including penalties for any violations (if any) against Vietnamese travel companies."

Currently, all 292 passengers boarded flights back to Taiwan yesterday, February 14th.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/vu-300-khach-dai-loan-bi-bo-roi-o-phu-quoc-yeu-cau-kien-giang-lam-ro-18524021507510651.htm