Premier Lin Chuan says better quality tour packages are needed to ensure travel safety in Taiwan. Lin was speaking Thursday at a Cabinet meeting.
Lin said the bus fire tragedy that killed an entire party of Chinese tourists last month has revealed the “hidden” problems of Taiwan’s tourism industry.
Cabinet spokesperson Tung Cheng-yuan relayed the premier’s message, saying, "The transportation ministry should use the president’s idea of separating [visiting] hours, dispersing tourist traffic and dividing tourist attractions as a format. The ministry should encourage the tourism industry on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to develop an in-depth, well-designed itinerary and charge tour groups reasonable fees. Doing so will equally distribute the profits to all sectors in a fair manner, which in turn will allow people to have [better] working hours and treatment. It will further help ensure travel safety and quality."
Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Ho Chen Tan said while Chinese tourists are allowed to visit Taiwan independently of tour groups, most still opt for one-week group tour packages. Ho Chen said these week-long package tours are too exhausting for tour bus drivers, as the same driver is responsible for driving the group for the whole week.