The Tourism Administration on the weekend said it aims to implement next month a plan to boost tourism in Hualien County and shelter residents there after it was struck by a massive earthquake on April 3, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, and aftershocks.
The plan, which was announced by the Executive Yuan on Thursday as part of a comprehensive package to rebuild the county, was scheduled to be implemented in July. The administration on Saturday moved the timeline one month forward after Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) pledged that the funding for the plan would become available next month.
Tourism operators in Hualien criticized the plan, saying that the government should not include subsidies for hoteliers in Taitung County since most of the devastation is in Hualien.
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE
Of the NT$28.55 billion (US$881.83 million) to be used for reconstruction, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is responsible for budgeting NT$1.231 billion to boost tourism, with NT$851 million to be spent in Hualien, the Tourism Administration said.
The funding would be used to cover three main areas of expenses, the administration said.
First, NT$120 million would be used as credit guarantees for hoteliers seeking to finance their business.
The Tourism Administration, National Development Council and the Ministry of Economic Affairs would jointly provide a total loan quota of NT$20 billion and an interest subsidy of up to NT$500,000.
Second, NT$965 million would be spent on boosting tourism, including NT$815 million on incentives to encourage independent travelers and NT$150 million to subsidize group tours. People booking legal accommodation in Hualien would be subsidized up to NT$1,000 per room if they arrive on weekdays except Friday. Those who arrive between Friday and Sunday would be subsidized up to NT$500 per room. Further details would be announced before the plan is implemented next month.
Meanwhile, the ministry would allocate NT$146 million to boost the use of public transportion, including NT$60 million for the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus and Taiwan Tour Bus services, NT$10 million for Taiwan Pass for Taiwan Railway Corp system, NT$51 million for charter train services and NT$25 million for charter flights to Hualien.
Subsidies for charter flights would be from NT$300,000 to NT$400,000, depending on the tourism markets, the administration said.
In addition, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Agriculture would jointly contribute an additional NT$353 million to boost agricultural tours and tours to indigenous communities.
Third, the government would help residents affected by the earthquake stay at hotels for up to three months, with the their rental costs being covered by the government. Those who stay in hotels are to receive NT$32,000 per month for a two-bed room or NT$44,000 for a four-bed room.
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