Tour trade protests over Taiwan’s new mainland China journey registration guidelines

Since September 1, travellers to the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau have been required to register particulars of their journey, together with the aim of their go to, contact info, journey dates in addition to the numbers of their passports and mainland journey permits.

Travel businesses dealing with mainland-bound inspection visits, exchanges and privately organised teams should submit the data on behalf of their shoppers or face fines of between NT$10,000 and NT$50,000 (US$330-US$1,650).

The transfer got here forward of recent mainland entry and exit laws taking impact on September 15, which Taipei has warned might improve dangers for Taiwanese guests.

But journey operators questioned why they need to be held accountable if travellers refused to register or give their particulars.

“Working in the travel industry now feels like selling drugs. We have to operate on the sly, and if we’re caught, we get fined. Are they really trying to force us out of business?” Taipei-based tour operator Lan Hsueh-hua stated.