TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The newly appointed head of Taiwan's Tourism Administration (觀光署), Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀), on Friday (June 27) addressed the low booking rates in Kenting (墾丁) during the summer peak season. She emphasized that subsidies are not the best solution and stressed the importance of understanding the situation.
Chen, who previously served as the director of Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (松山文創園區), noted that domestic tourism flourished during the pandemic, mainly benefiting offshore islands and central and southern Taiwan. She suggested that the current drop in booking rates might merely signal a return to normalcy. During a recent trip to Taitung, Chen observed high occupancy rates despite affordable accommodation prices, indicating a potential information gap.
Chen highlighted the need for on-site experiences in tourism, suggesting that data might not always be accurate and that in-person assessments are crucial for developing effective strategies. The Tourism Administration is pushing for digital transformation to enhance data accuracy, including real-time monitoring of inbound and outbound traveler numbers.
Chen proposed leveraging technology-driven services to address the labor shortage in the tourism industry. She recognized this as a global issue requiring comprehensive consideration from the central government.
