In a press release on February 16, the agency reported that the We Love Tour investigation on February 13 and 15 confirmed that the company is facing financial difficulties, with a debt of approximately 318,730 USD.
Tourists arriving in Phu Quoc, Vietnam at Gate A3 at Dao Vien Airport (Taiwan) on February 16. Photo CNA |
The regulatory agency also found that We Love Tour violated the rights of customers after allowing 292 tourists to book tours from Taipei to Phu Quoc (from February 11 to 14) but the tour operating partner, Winner Company, changed the itinerary.
According to Focus Taiwan, due to financial difficulties, We Love Tour was unable to fulfill the service contract with customers.
The Taiwan Tourism Bureau stated that the 3-month suspension of operations is applied under Articles 36 and 38 of the Consumer Protection Regulation to prevent other consumers from being violated.
Tourists arriving in Phu Quoc, Vietnam at Gate A3 at Dao Vien Airport (Taiwan) on February 16. Photo CNA |
The suspension of business will affect about 430 customers that We Love Tour had planned for tours from now until April.
All customers of We Love Tour whose tours are canceled can request compensation or ask the company to support the transfer of their pre-arranged itineraries to another travel company in Taiwan.
We Love Tour also prohibited another group of tourists from going to Phu Quoc on February 16. The Taiwan Tourism Bureau found evidence that We Love Tour only paid for local flight tickets and hotels for the tourist group without covering the tour operation costs for travel companies in Vietnam.
The group of 16 tourists who were scheduled to fly to Vietnam on February 16 signed a new contract with an independent tour management company at Dao Vien Airport for a private tour including a visit to Phu Quoc without a local guide.
Regarding the allegations of We Love Tour’s violations, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau said that they will collect evidence and testimonies from the victims of Taiwanese tourist groups going to Phu Quoc on February 9 and 10.
If We Love Tour CEO David Lin is unable to resolve the company’s related issues, the Taiwan Quality Assurance Association will revoke his membership.
In addition, if the company cannot propose satisfactory improvements after 3 months, the suspension period will be extended.
Xuan Mai
