(Central News Agency reporters Huang Xusheng and Yu Xiaohan, New Taipei, 24th) Heavy rains and flooding at Dubai International Airport on the 20th affected flights, triggering controversy over tourism consumption. Taiwanese tourists complained today about being trapped on the airport floor, losing luggage, having no clothes to keep warm, and being forced to cancel their trip to Portugal. etc., are dissatisfied with the travel agency’s response and compensation.
The travel agency said today that heavy rain at Dubai Airport caused flight changes or cancellations. Because the transit hotels were full at the time, and the local situation in Dubai was also quite chaotic, it was impossible to apply for landing visa at the airport. Passengers could only be stuck at the airport, and the company arranged it at its own expense. Visitors go to the VIP room to rest and dine.
Ms. Huang, who participated in a 13-day European tour group in Spain and Portugal, told the Central News Agency by phone from Spain today that the tour group, which departed on April 16, with a total of 33 passengers, was stranded at Dubai Airport after departure; due to grounding, flight scheduling, and Due to the weather at the airport, group members were forced to sleep on airport chairs or on the floor.
Ms. Huang said that most of the group members believed that the travel agency’s adaptability was poor; group members were unable to enter the transit hotel, their luggage was missing, and they had no warm clothes. “It was so cold, so miserable.” Some members of the group were suffering from cold, so she gave all the cold medicines she carried to the members.
She said that she did not sleep on the bed for five days after the trip, and the group members were unable to wash their hands and “were wearing the same underwear for five days.” Drinking water and food are very expensive at the airport, and even if you have money, you can’t buy food.
After constant waiting and transfers, Ms. Huang later canceled the three-day trip to Portugal and continued the trip to Spain on the fifth day. But she said that the travel agency was only willing to refund 95 euros per person, which is equivalent to less than NT$3,500.
The group members believed that the trip cost nearly NT$150,000, more than NT$10,000 per day, that there was no shopping during the whole trip, and that they stayed in high-end hotels. The group members also paid full tips for the tour leader, local tour guide, and driver. However, all three-day itineraries in Portugal were cancelled, without room and board, and the passengers suffered physical and mental torture. The travel agency’s refund amount was unreasonable.
The operator pointed out that they had tried their best to have the group members leave Dubai Airport and go to Cairo to rest, and then fly to Spain the next day to continue the trip. However, the original trip to Portugal had to be canceled, so according to the stereotyped contract, the meal fee was refunded. , and the remaining balance will have to wait until the passenger returns to Taiwan before the hotel can seek a refund. If the hotel has a refund, it will be refunded to the passenger.
According to statistics from the Tourism Department of the Ministry of Transport, about three travel agencies were trapped in Dubai Airport as a result. According to Article 26 of the Foreign Tourism Standardized Contract, due to force majeure, operators can change itineraries, tour items, or change meals, accommodation, and itineraries. , increased fees shall not be charged to passengers, and reduced fees shall be refunded to passengers. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1130424
