TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Tourism Administration (觀光署) under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) announced on Wednesday (Dec. 18) plans to impose fines on Dream Travel (夢想國際旅行社) after a tour led by the company resulted in an injury on the Alishan (阿里山) Forest Railway. Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) said that they plan to fine the travel agency NT$50,000, while the tour guide faces a NT$15,000 penalty.
On Dec. 14, a participant sustained injuries when a train grazed them during the tour along the Alishan Forest Railway. The incident has sparked online support for strict penalties from authorities. The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office plans to hold the travel agency accountable and refer the violating tourists for legal action under public endangerment charges.
The Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee invited MOTC Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) and other officials to present a report on enhancing Taiwan's tourism quality on Wednesday morning. During the questioning session, Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Legislator Lin Kuo-cheng (林國成) highlighted the negligence of the travel agency regarding tourist safety.
Minister Chen emphasized the need for penalties against the agency, aligning with the "Act for the Development of Tourism" (觀光發展條例), which stipulates fines ranging from NT$10,000 to NT$50,000 for travel agencies failing to ensure tourist safety, and NT$3,000 to NT$15,000 for tour personnel.
