TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hualien County's (花蓮縣) tourism was severely impacted by the April 3 earthquake. To attract visitors back, local lodging businesses have significantly slashed room prices.
Travelers recently discovered that booking Hualien accommodations through online platforms, combined with subsidies and early bird discounts, can result in prices as low as NT$38 per person per night. However, the situation remains dire. July's occupancy rates dropped from 88% last year to just 25% this year, with August expected to be under 20%.
Fang Chuan (方娟), secretary-general of the Hualien Hotel Association (花蓮縣旅館公會), stated that the low-price schemes have been enthusiastically received by the public. Fang hopes these efforts will change the perception of high accommodation costs in Hualien.
Many operators, especially those running bed-and-breakfasts, find it challenging to market their businesses compared to larger hotels. As a result, they resort to lowering their prices to attract customers.
Subsidy plans in Hualien offer NT$1,000 per night from Monday to Thursday and NT$500 from Friday to Sunday, making prices drop below NT$100 after applying discounts.
Potential visitors should be cautious of additional fees when booking online, as prices may vary. To avoid discrepancies, it is advised that details be confirmed with operators.
