Some hot spring owners in Yilan County’s Jiaosi Township (礁溪) mulling prohibiting individuals from using independent hot spring houses due to safety concerns has drawn mixed responses, with some feeling the proposed regulations are discriminatory, while others said the owners’ basis for considering the move is understandable.
The Yilan County Government reported four deaths this year in Jiaosi due to accidents at hot springs.
Some hot spring owners say they are afraid of individuals using independent pool rooms as it is possible the users might suffer cardiac arrest and drown, and the establishment would be unable to provide the emergency treatment that could save their lives.
Photo: Wang Yang-yu, Taipei Times
By the time the establishment finds out that a customer suffered an accident, it is usually too late, Chuang Tang Hot Spring Resort deputy manager Ou Tzu-hao (歐子豪) said.
Ou said the Chuang Tang Hot Spring Resort in 2007 made it a house policy to refuse service to single customers wishing to use independent pool rooms because of safety concerns.
Despite receiving criticism, Ou said the resort has the best interests of its customers at heart, adding that if a single customer was amenable, the resort helps arrange single pools at other resorts that allow such services.
Hefong Resort Hotel group’s Jiaosi branch general manager Hsiao His-hsin (蕭錫鑫) said such a policy was common, though it is usually just a house rule.
While the Hefong group’s Jiaosi establishment does not refuse independent pool service to single customers, it is a rule for employees to check up on customers every 20 minutes to half an hour by knocking on the door and only leaving after receiving a response, Hsiao said, adding that there are emergency buttons in the rooms as well.
With regards to the rules, Yilan County Government consumer ombudsman Chou Hsi-fu (周錫福) said that the regulations do not harm consumers’ rights, as the hot spring industry is very competitive and consumers retain the right to select another resort or hotel if they are refused service.
As each individual has different health conditions, establishment owners can enforce house rules based on ensuring customer safety, but these rules must be made known to the consumer prior to payment, Chou added.
However, a student in New Taipei City surnamed Lin (林) said that being single is not a crime and that the regulations are irrational.
There is nothing wrong if one wishes to enjoy a hot spring pool on one’s own, Lin said.
A resident in Toucheng Township (頭城) surnamed Chang (張) said the act of visiting hot springs alone involves inherent risks and no one should make light of matters of life and death.
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