The picture shows the Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area, a must-visit for mainland tourists. (Information photo taken from Taiwan's "United Daily News")
China Taiwan Net reported on November 3 that there was a sudden freeze in mainland tourists visiting Taiwan. The Taiwan authorities are planning to subsidize the tourism industry with 300 million yuan (New Taiwan Dollars, the same below), and the subsidies will be " At least half of the "tourist cards" must be used in the hardest-hit areas. In this regard, most industry players are not optimistic about this plan, saying bluntly that "the help is very limited!"
According to Taiwan's "United Daily News", Hualien County Mayor Fu Kunqi, one of the hardest-hit areas, said that mainland customers are the customer group with the strongest purchasing power in the world. , the spending power is not comparable to that of Taiwanese tourists. What's more, half of the 16,000 yuan "travel card" that restricts subsidies has to be used in the hardest-hit areas. Most of the 8,000 yuan is deducted just for transportation and accommodation. There are too few people who can shop.
Lou Liping, chairman of the Hualien County Travel Association, believes that it can stimulate consumption in the short term and should be helpful, but in the long term, the fundamental solution is to introduce a large number of foreign tourists.
Alishan An operator surnamed Zheng pointed out that if the "tourist card" can be used to spend money in Alishan, at least let us stop the bleeding first. Many hotels and entertainment area operators are now almost "finished".
Tourism operators in Sun Moon Lake District said that accommodation in the Lake District often costs 6,000 yuan or even more than 10,000 yuan, and the accommodation subsidy is 600 yuan, which is not much help.
Taichung City Grassroots tourism and accommodation industry believes that allocating 300 million yuan to the "hardest-hit areas" will be diluted. Neighboring counties and cities "can see but cannot eat". It is very difficult to use Taiwanese tourists to make up for the gap in the decline of mainland tourists.
Taiwan Tourism Industry Alliance spokesman Tian Yixiu also said that it is "impossible" to make up for the losses of mainland tourists with this move, but it is not without small compensation. Tian Yixiu also emphasized that in half a year, the industry will have to find ways to transform, such as trying to attract foreign tourists, and cannot always rely on Taiwanese tourists.
Su Jianan, chairman of the Taiwan Tourism Association, said that this plan is to dig out the east wall to make up for the west wall. It may be helpful to some tour bus and restaurant operators in the short term, but it will not help shopping and boutiques. The new policy may cause vicious competition among Taiwanese businesses and affect the entire tourism ecosystem.
Xiao Boren, honorary chairman of the Taiwan Federation of Travel Business Associations, believes that this move can at least save some tour bus, hotel, and restaurant operators. It has been reported that rental operators are forcing tour bus drivers to take back their vehicles for auction. The number is nearly 800. If the Taiwanese authorities do not handle the situation as soon as possible, they are worried that more operators will be affected.
Chen Rizhong, secretary-general of the Taiwan Tourist Bus Association, said that the tour bus industry has suffered a lot. To make up for the losses caused by the lack of mainland tourists, "How can 300 million yuan be enough?" It is better to reduce fuel usage fees to make the tour bus industry better. The reader has feelings. (China Taiwan Net Zhu Lian)
