The Eye on Taiwan news staff
The Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s recent incentives to stimulate domestic tourism by offering one-night free hotel accommodation to visitors traveling to five local cities and counties in southern and eastern Taiwan have shown positive effects with Taitung first reporting a surge in the number of tourists.
Popular hotels in Taitung, eastern Taiwan have reported having numerous visitors calling to make reservations or inquire details of the incentive program, which allows visitors to get one night free if they stay for two nights at the same hotel.
According to Pan Kuei-lan, president of Taitung Tourism Association, all star-class hotels in Taitung have found the bureau’s measure greatly effective in boosting tourism in the eastern county.
Under the program, the bureau has allocated an NT$50 million budget for subsidies to hotel operators who join the incentive program by offering one-night free accommodation to visitors. The program, which began on May 18, will last until the end of next month, bureau officials said.
Pan said the weather in May and June is perfect for visitors going to Taitung, which is surrounded by mountains and the ocean with abundant natural resources and produce.
The program has also included hotels in Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung in southern Taiwan. It will start in Penghu from September 1 to October 15 to fit in with the island’s annual Bay Tourism Festival.
Visitors can go to taiwan.net.tw or taiwanstay.net.tw to check for details. But they must make their visits during weekdays from Monday to Thursday in order to get the one-night free treatment, bureau officials said.