The Tourism Administration will provide more than NT$1.3 billion (US$40.2 million) in tourism revitalization subsidies to Hualien County following the April 3 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. In an interview on Friday, Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) said that individual travelers and travel agencies can apply for subsidies.
From July 1 to September 30, travelers who stay in Hualien County from Monday to Thursday can receive a subsidy of NT$1,000 (US$31) per room. Travelers staying from Friday to Sunday can receive a NT$500 (US$16) subsidy per room. Travel agencies bringing groups of up to 20 individuals to Hualien County must visit on a weekday to receive subsidies, and only five groups per travel agency can apply.
As for overseas charter passengers traveling to Hualien, Chou explained that in the past, charter subsidies were determined by the market and were available in three tiers. The rewards per tier will be increased, with subsidies of NT$300,000 (US$9,270) for the third tier, NT$350,000 (US$10,820) for the second tier, and up to NT$400,000 (US$12,370) for the first tier.
Chou said he hopes these measures will incentivize tourists and increase the local occupancy rate in Hualien County by at least 20 percent. He added that because Taitung and Hualien’s tourism industry function co-dependently, Taitung will also receive one-third of tourism revitalization funds.
