Travel Agencies
Current Status
Guiding Travel Agencies to Sustainable Development and Promoting Sustainable Tourism
To align with international trends in sustainability, the Tourism Administration provides ongoing guidance to help industry players to align with international standards, acquire certifications, and obtain sustainable environmental labels as part of a steady ESG transformation. The "Sustainable ING Tourism +1" forum, held on November 24, 2023, highlighted four key themes: "Connecting with the World, Promoting Tourism, Sustainability Certification, and Corporate Sustainability." Sustainability experts and industry representatives met to discuss and share insights, linking academic research with current trends in Taiwan's tourism industry, with a total attendance of 148 participants. In addition, a Sustainable Tourism Exhibition and Market was held From November 24 to 26 to help travel agencies, consumers, and related industries understand sustainable tourism and collectively respond to the "Sustainable Tourism" initiative, with participation exceeding 8,300 attendees.
Optimizing the Industry Environment and Building Industry Momentum
Tourism Professional Training:The Tourism Administration continued to invest resources in training tourism talent, including professional skills training for tour guides, group leaders, and travel industry managers, as well as courses for mid- to senior-level management personnel and entry-level staff across various industries. In addition to in-person courses, a digital learning platform—Tourism Occupational E-Learning Academy—provides industry insiders with 24-hour access to online learning materials. Training programs are also available to guide travel industry associations on topics such as sustainable tourism (ESG), skill enhancement, and post-pandemic tourism. In 2023, over 12,400 individuals received training.
Adjustments to Travel Industry Regulations:New business items were added to allow travel agencies to collaborate with insurers to promote travel-related insurance products and collect premiums, making it easier to purchase travel insurance. Additionally, regulations were revised on July 26, 2023, to address gaps between current laws and practical developments, while ensuring proper supervision of the travel industry to enhance travel safety.
Strengthening Travel Safety and Quality Management
Travel Agency Inspections: Inspections of travel agency operations were conducted in collaboration with the highway supervisory authorities at major tourist attractions, national highway rest stops, and roadside checkpoints. A total of 568 tour groups were inspected in 2023. With the recovery of the post-pandemic travel market, inspections were intensified and travel agencies were assisted in promoting travel safety awareness and following travel safety regulations.
Protecting Consumer Rights
In 2023, a total of 1,278 consumer dispute cases and tourism complaints mediated by the Travel Quality Assurance Association of the Republic of China were accepted, with 874 cases settled, or 68.39% of the total. Two tourism safety promotion activities were conducted at the Kaohsiung International Travel Fair and Taipei International Travel Fair (Summer) to inform and educate consumers about group and individual travel safety both domestically and abroad.
