Government agencies are stiffening punishments to curb illegal practices in Taiwan’s tourism market.
The decision comes after a joint investigation by government agencies found that tour operators have been illegally circumventing daily quotas on group tours for Mainland visitors. The tour operators register their guests as “independent travelers” but take them on a group tour once they arrive in Taiwan. The investigation turned up five suspected cases of these illegal group tours.
On Wednesday, Tourism Bureau official Chen Chiung-hua said this practice takes away places from legitimate independent Chinese travelers. Chen explained the stricter measures the government plans to prevent this from happening in the future.
"In the past, there would be a fine of NT$10,000 in cases like these, but starting April 1, travel agencies will be shut down for a month to a year," said Chen. "Through this investigation, we’re letting these travel agencies and tour guide know that our penalties will increase in the future."
The investigation also turned up cases of unauthorized hotel expansion and restaurant workers who had not undergone mandatory health checks.