TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hsiao Po-jen, President of Taiwan's Travel Agent Association said on Monday (Feb. 19), that the Tourism Administration's barring of travel agencies organizing group trips to China, is a matter that now concerns national security at a high level.
Due to this, Hsiao expressed hopes to secure a meeting with President-elect Lai Ching-te to relay industry concerns.
The renewed directive, forbidding travel agencies from orchestrating outbound group tours to China, has provoked vehement protests from the travel industry. Violators of the directive will face potential penalties.
On Monday, the Director-General of the Tourism Administration, Chou Yung-hui, discussed with representatives of Taiwan's Travel Agent Association but failed to reach a consensus.
The Tourism Administration referenced the "Act for the Development of Tourism" to substantiate the ban, stating penal actions, including termination or revocation of licenses, would be imposed on operators risking national interests.
Hsiao contends that organizing travel groups should not be considered harmful to national interests, a viewpoint he claimed to have heard for the first time.
He believes the move lacks rationality and intimated potential administrative lawsuits or requests for constitutional court reporter interpretations.
