The three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, from May 30 to June 1, is fast approaching. Many people are taking this opportunity to return to their hometowns or travel. The Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau urges the public that in addition to considering price and location, it is most important to ensure the safety of the lodging. Opting for licensed accommodations that are regulated by government authorities is the smartest and most secure choice.

Director Chen Mei-xiu of the Tourism and Travel Bureau noted that the Dragon Boat Festival falls during the most vibrant and energetic time of the year. Each year, the Taichung City Government hosts the “Noon Water Drawing from the Sword Well” event at Dajia Tiezhen Mountain to celebrate the occasion. On the day of the event, the public is invited to collect noon water from the Sword Well to pray for health, safety, good fortune, and to ward off misfortune. The event also features egg-standing activities and competitions, and a variety of arts and cultural performances, offering a rich festive atmosphere for all attendees. In celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, many accommodation providers are also launching special holiday promotions. Taichung City is home to more than 500 lodging establishments, including tourist hotels, business hotels, cultural and creative hotels, hot spring resorts, motels, and hospitable bed-and-breakfasts. Visitors can choose from a range of accommodations according to their travel plans and enjoy a relaxing Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau reminds the public to ensure their safety by choosing only licensed hotels or bed-and-breakfasts when planning their travels. In Taichung City, many illegal short-term rental accommodations—such as unlicensed daily rental suites—are concentrated around major transportation hubs and popular commercial districts. These operators often advertise attractively decorated rooms on online booking platforms, highlighting convenient locations and low prices to attract customers. However, such establishments have not undergone proper inspections or obtained approval from relevant government authorities, including those overseeing building safety, fire protection, sanitation, environmental protection, and tourism. Moreover, they are not covered by public liability insurance. In an attempt to evade government enforcement, these operators often obscure their contact details and the booking process. As a result, in the event of an emergency or consumer dispute, they are frequently unresponsive, leaving guests with no recourse for compensation—or worse, placing their personal safety at serious risk.

How can travelers identify licensed accommodations? The Tourism and Travel Bureau advises that, before making a reservation, travelers should visit the “Taiwan Stay” website (https://www.taiwanstay.net.tw/) to verify whether the hotel or bed-and-breakfast in Taichung—or elsewhere in Taiwan—is legally registered. Alternatively, prior to check-in, travelers should check whether the establishment displays a valid hotel enterprise registration certificate, a home stay registration certificate, and an exclusive trade symbol. If such documentation is not available, travelers are strongly advised not to stay at the property in order to protect their rights and ensure their personal safety.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau further notes that if any individual discovers the operation of illegal daily rental suites or other unlicensed accommodations, they may submit a written report to the Tourism and Travel Bureau along with clear evidence of such activities. If the report is verified and results in a fine of NT$100,000 or more, and the penalized party has completed payment, the informant will be eligible to receive a reward ranging from 10% to 15% of the collected fine as an incentive for reporting.