GLOWING OCEAN:
Industry observers attributed the county’s strong performance to its bioluminescent seawater, also known as ‘blue tears’
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By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter, with CNA
The Tourism Administration yesterday released booking data for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival holiday, showing that Lienchiang County (Matsu) has the highest hotel occupancy rates nationwide.
The average hotel booking rate during this week’s long weekend was 49.3 percent nationwide, compared with 45.8 percent during the same holiday period last year, administration data showed.
Matsu topped the rankings with an average occupancy rate of 83.43 percent for the first two days of the holiday, followed by Yunlin County at 66.38 percent and Nantou County at 62.61 percent.
Photo: Shelley Shan, Taipei Times
Meanwhile, 13 administrative regions, including Keelung, Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, and Pingtung, Yilan, Hualien and Penghu counties, had above-average booking rates, the administration said.
On a single-day basis, Matsu again stands out, with occupancy exceeding 80 percent on Friday, it said.
Eleven administrative regions recorded occupancy rates above 50 percent that day, it added.
Photo courtesy of Lienchiang County
Industry observers attributed Matsu’s strong performance to the county’s bioluminescent seawater, also known as “blue tears,” which has become a seasonal tourism draw.
Local promotional events are also believed to have boosted visitor demand, they said.
The administration said the Dragon Boat Festival is one of Taiwan’s major traditional holidays, during which many people typically travel back to their hometowns.
Overall booking trends suggest growth in travel demand compared with last year, it said.
The figures reflect booking data reported by hotels and guesthouses seven days prior to the holiday. Since many Taiwanese tend to book accommodation closer to departure dates, actual occupancy rates might differ, the agency said.
