Those planning to vacation in China or Japan later this year can expect higher tour group charges as the two nations will be in their peak travel season, the nation’s travel agents said yesterday.
The Travel Quality Assurance Association, which periodically informs consumers about reasonable tour price ranges, said that October is the peak travel season in China.
High air fares and hotel prices will cause tour group prices to increase by between NT$2,000 and NT$5,000 per person when compared with prices currently being charged, the association said.
When compared with the same period last year, the cost of group tours to China will increase by between NT$2,000 and NT$4,000 per person, the association added.
Because of the maple season and the appreciation of the yen, the association said travelers heading to Japan from October to the end of the year could expect an average increase of NT$2,000 per person in tour group prices when compared with prices currently being charged.
Those heading to the Hokkaido area should expect an increase of between NT$3,000 and NT$6,000 per person because of a rise in hotel prices during the maple season.
However, when compared with the same period last year, prices of tours to northeast Japan have fallen by about NT$2,000 per person.
Tours to the rest of Japan, on the other hand, are set to rise by between NT$1,000 to NT$2,000 per person, it said.
The association said prices of tours to the US and Canada from October to the end of the year would decrease by between NT$4,000 and NT$12,000 per person when compared with prices currently being charged.
Excepting tours to central and western Europe, the association said tours to the rest of Europe would drop by between NT$2,000 and NT$5,000 per person when compared with current prices.
The association said tours to central and western Europe next month would cost more than those in the summer because trade shows would cause hotel prices to rise, adding that those tours are expected to be cheaper after October.
Those considering tours to Australia from October to the end of the year could save NT$4,000 per person as the supply of flights during this period would remain frequent and stable, it said.
Those heading to New Zealand are advised to avoid the Rugby World Cup this month as hotels are difficult to book at this time. Compared with the same quarter last year, tours to New Zealand are expected to be NT$3,000 per person cheaper.
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