On February 17, at a press conference organized by the Taiwan Tourism Administration, Mr. Chang Yung-cheng, Chairman of the Taiwan Tourism Quality Assurance Association, accused Lin Dajun (David Lin), General Director of Mega International Tourism Company (operating We Love Tour), of fraud. Mr. Lin had sold tours despite having no funds to cover them.
Mr. Chang Yung-cheng accused Lin Dajun of fraud at the press conference
The Taiwan Tourism Quality Assurance Association is a private organization trusted by the Taiwan Tourism Administration to protect the rights and interests of tourists. On February 13, We Love Tour failed to pay the flight rental fee to Bamboo Airways, leaving 292 tourists stranded on Phu Quoc Island during the Lunar New Year. The Association’s secretary-general and Mr. Chang immediately met with the General Agent of Bamboo Airways to find out the situation. Mr. Lin was also present and promised to transfer NT$3 million for air ticket payment, but he never did.
We Love Tour abandoned the 292 tourists and suspended operations. The company has been fined NT$810,000 (more than VND 630 million), but it has no money left to compensate the customers as promised.
Mr. Chang urged tourists to provide evidence to the Taiwan Quality Assurance Association to help them file a class-action lawsuit against Mr. Lin for intentionally committing fraud. He believes that Mr. Lin should be excluded from the tourism business environment since there are over 4,000 companies in Taiwan.
Mrs. Wu Mei-hui stated that We Love Tour had earned about NT$13 million from tourist groups to Phu Quoc. The abandoned group of 292 people had to pay about NT$2 million for meals. The total cost for these people to return to Taiwan is estimated at NT$20 million. The association offers ways for travelers to seek compensation.
Tourists return to Taoyuan airport after the miserable trip in Phu Quoc
The Taiwan Tourism Administration advises that tourists who have purchased travel insurance worth NT$10 million can still receive compensation if We Love Tour is unable to continue operations due to financial difficulties. If the total claim amount exceeds the insurance limit, the association will help cover the loss.
The incident has prompted Taiwan’s tourism industry to call for changes to the law, including an increase in fines for violations. Plans for these changes are expected to be released in the first half of this year. Additionally, there are proposals to increase travel insurance fees.