Lodges in Taiwan scuffling with lower than 20% occupancy charges | Taiwan Information

Grand Cosmos Resort in Hualien. (Website photo)
Grand Cosmos Resort in Hualien. (Website photo)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – MPs from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) joined the hospitality industry on Tuesday, Sept. 7, asking for more government funding to shore up their failed businesses.

Local accommodation businesses have suffered since Taiwan introduced level 3 restrictions amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. While the restrictions were downgraded to Level 2 on July 27th, room sales have barely picked up.

According to a survey by the Hotel Association of the ROC, hotels across the country had average room occupancies of 18%, 21% and 13%, respectively, which are barely enough to keep basic operations going, wrote UDN.

Lawmaker Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) said more subsidies are needed to support the country’s accommodation industry. The 4.0 bailout package totaling NT $ 3.26 billion (US $ 118 million) for over 11,000 accommodations appears to have been ineffective in relieving the sector.

Large travel agencies like Lion Travel and Colatour are reporting a revived interest in domestic travel, fueled by the government’s stimulus plans. Meanwhile, the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) has its Cruises in the style of cruises starting this month to woo residents who are starting to get itchy feet.

Still, the new COVID outbreak in a kindergarten in New Taipei and the confirmed Delta infections below EVA Air crew Members take a look at the domestic tourism prospect, worried companies said.