Outbound tourists down 10 percent in July

Local travel agencies estimated that there might be a decrease of 200 outbound tourist groups in August, partly because of Ghost Month (the seventh lunar month) falls during this month, and partly because of consumers suffering worsening financial ability.

Yao Ta-kuang, chairman of the Travel Agent Association of the ROC, said he did receive complaints from travel agencies that their business performances leave much to be desired this summer, compared to the previous booming overseas travel season in summer.

The sharp rise in ticket fares for flights to Europe and the U.S. has undermined the willingness and ability of local consumers to travel abroad.

Even tourist groups bound for Japan and South Korea, which used to be popular with local consumers, now can hardly be organized, with consumers reluctant to even inquire about relevant information.

Chen Ming-ming, vice president of Star Travel Agency, said that the tourist market has turned a buyer-oriented market from a seller-oriented one, adding that it’s necessary for travel agencies to reduce prices to solicit patronage from more consumers.

Liao Pei-yuan, vice president of South-East Travel Agency, said that besides poor economic conditions, the advent of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the devastating earthquake hitting Sichuan Province on May 12 have also served to erode the willingness of local people to travel abroad.

Liao said that before children return to schools in September, there is usually still a new boom of overseas travel, and local travel agencies are gearing up to solicit more outbound tourists by offering preferential travel prices.

For instance, ezTravel is launching a new promotional program, allowing consumers to take a five-day trip to Tokyo Disney at a total cost of only NT$19,000 per person, with accompanying children to enjoy a 50 percent discount.

In addition, ezTravel is also offering a six-day trip to Guam at a minimum cost of NT$9,999.

Star Travel Agency is offering a maximum discount of NT$15,000 for a four-member family to travel to Bali Island, Indonesia.

Local travel agencies said they expected a significant economic turnaround to come as soon as possible, so as to secure viable operations.

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