Traveler Left Empty-Pocketed After Sudden Cancellation of Malaysia Getaway
On July 1, 2024, an individual was seen holding a passport at Incheon International Airport. [NEWS1]
A person who reserved a three-night, five-day journey to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, found their arrangements abruptly cancelled with no prior notice. They lost all of their money since the travel agency did not provide a refund and ceased communication entirely.
The traveler had made arrangements for the journey through a travel agency back in November and had paid 2.05 million won ($1,400) in cash. Fourteen days prior to the planned departure date of February 5th, the agency decided to cancel the trip.
As per the contract, the traveler had the right to receive a complete reimbursement along with a 10 percent penalty charge. However, the organization failed to adhere to this and ultimately ceased all contact, which left the traveler incapable of retrieving their money.
Consumer protection agencies are advising increased vigilance as incidents related to package tours keep increasing. The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) reported on Sunday that they received 3,922 travel-related grievances over the last half-decade.
In 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of complaints skyrocketed to 1,152 before plummeting to 264 in 2021.
Complaints started increasing once more, with numbers reaching 443 in 2022, jumping to 896 in 2023, and climbing further to 1,167 last year. Out of all reported instances, international trips made up 3,356 complaints, which constitutes 85.6 percent of the total.
The predominant category of complaints revolved around disagreements concerning contract conditions, such as overly burdensome cancellation charges and delays or incompleteness in refund processes, totaling 2,587 instances which corresponds to 66 percent.
An additional 996 instances, accounting for 25.4 percent, were due to factors like abrupt modifications to travel plans, discontentment with local tour leaders or lodgings, and grievances over aggressive sales pitches during shopping trips.
A lot of grievances were from travelers who didn't get their money back after canceling during the contract period.
The agency linked this pattern to the declining financial condition of travel firms, exacerbated by the buildup of losses throughout the pandemic.
The KCA recommended that travelers choose reliable agencies prudently and meticulously examine the cancellation policies prior to finalizing their bookings.
The recommendation was to use credit cards for transactions whenever feasible, particularly opting for installment plans. This approach enables consumers to retain their right to withhold payment should the agreed-upon contractual conditions not be met.
The agency highlighted the significance of gathering proof like videos, images, and taped discussions in case of disagreements while traveling.
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]
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