To enhance travel and accommodation rights for people with disabilities, Taiwan’s Tourism Administration has called on accommodation providers nationwide to implement guide dog-friendly environments. This initiative aims to ensure that guide dogs, hearing dogs, and mobility assistance dogs can freely access lodging facilities and related public spaces when accompanying users or undergoing professional training, without being denied due to misunderstandings or management policies.

According to the Tourism Administration, the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Persons with Disabilities Act stipulates that certified assistance dogs, as well as puppies accompanied by professional trainers during training, are permitted to enter public places, business premises, and public transportation systems. Owners, managers, or users of such premises may not charge additional fees or impose entry restrictions.

To help accommodation providers better understand the regulations and implement inclusive services, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Social and Family Affairs Administration has compiled educational materials and made them available in the guide dog section of the Disability Services Portal. The materials emphasize five key interaction principles: do not feed, do not pet, do not call, do not refuse, and proactively ask users about their needs, ensuring assistance dogs can perform their duties effectively.

The Tourism Administration noted that accommodation services are a crucial part of accessible tourism and expressed hope that through inter-agency cooperation and continued outreach, guide dog-friendly practices will become a standard part of daily lodging operations, fostering a respectful, diverse, and inclusive travel environment.