Malaysian Tourist Encounters Bad Driver in Taiwan; Tourism Administration Investigating

A Malaysian traveler, claiming to have visited Taiwan eight times, reported on the 'Baoliao Gongshe' forum about an unpleasant experience with a chauffeur service arranged through 'Taiwan Travel' this year, citing poor driver attitude. The Tourism Administration stated that under Article 27 of the Development of Tourism Act, arranging tours, accommodations, and transportation for travelers is within the scope of travel industry business; non-travel agencies are prohibited from conducting such business, with violators facing fines between NT$100,000 and NT$2,000,000. The Administration pointed out that travel services provided by operators should include at least two equally important provisions, with 'arranging travel itineraries' being a necessary service. Simple transport and accommodation arrangements do not fall under travel agency business. Custom chauffeur tours often emphasize customized itineraries, which usually means guests decide the content rather than purchasing a pre-set tour. Thus, whether the law is violated depends on individual case facts. Regarding the Malaysian tourist case, the Administration received a report in late March. However, upon review, the provided Facebook links were closed, and no other identifiable information about the reported operator was available. The Administration has requested the complainant to provide evidence of the alleged violation; however, as of April 7, no further evidence has been received. The Administration will follow up if more information is provided.