TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced a new initiative on Thursday (May 2) to boost tourism in Hualien. The plan includes subsidies for accommodations in Hualien and Taitung, offering NT$1,000 per room from Monday to Thursday and NT$500 per room from Friday to Sunday.
The move came after an earthquake on April 3 that caused significant damage to Hualien. The ministry has outlined a recovery and revitalization plan, allocating NT$5.3 billion for post-disaster recovery efforts. The funds will be used for the repair and reconstruction of transportation and tourism facilities, housing for those affected by the disaster, and the promotion of the tourism industry.
The ministry's tourism revitalization efforts include financing guarantees for the hospitality industry, discounts for independent travelers, subsidies for group tours, and expanding the Taiwan PASS and Taiwan Tour Bus services. The ministry is also encouraging overseas charter tourists to visit Hualien and promoting the filming of promotional videos showcasing Hualien. The total investment for these initiatives exceeds NT$1.3 billion.
Regarding housing for those affected by the disaster, the ministry is working with the Hualien County Government to provide subsidies to hospitality businesses that offer free monthly accommodations to those in need. The principle is to subsidize one room per household, with a monthly rate of NT$32,000 for a double room and NT$44,000 for a four-person room.
The ministry is also investing nearly NT$4 billion in the reconstruction of the railway system, including improvements to affiliated facilities. The plan includes integrating earthquake forecasting information with train protection systems, repairing and adding tunnels along the Yilan to Hualien route, and implementing landslide prevention projects on the North Link Railway.