Via China Times: Legislator Ho Urges Public to Visit Beitou Hot Springs, Will Personally Fund NT$100K in Coupons

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the hospitality industry. While domestic restrictions gradually eased, urban hospitality operators became the hardest-hit victims as domestic travelers preferred suburban areas. DPP Legislator Ho Chih-Wei and the Taipei Hot Spring Development Association held a joint press conference today to promote Beitou hot spring tourism, with Ho personally funding NT$100,000 in discount coupons.

Taipei Hot Spring Development Association Chairperson Chou Shui-Mei pointed out that Taipei City's occupancy recovery is weaker than other cities. Beitou's June occupancy was only 24%, down 40% from 2019, and compared to the worst pandemic months of March-April, it only increased 1-3%, even hitting zero occupancy at times. She called on Taipei's 2.5+ million residents to support local Taipei tourism and hotels, otherwise when borders reopen, most of Taipei's hotels may have already closed, and travelers would have to stay in Taoyuan.

Legislator Ho Chih-Wei offered three guarantees for visiting Beitou: no traffic jams, no price increases, and quality guaranteed. He noted that although it's hot summer, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners point out that soaking in hot springs now helps expel accumulated body dampness. He urged Facebook users to share the live press conference broadcast, with a lucky draw next week featuring hot spring discount coupons worth up to NT$100,000.

The event also invited multiple Beitou hot spring operators to share their promotional packages, plus a performance by children in yukata singing and dancing, concluding with the children's sweet voices calling everyone to come soak in Beitou hot springs.

Original article: https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20200703001909-260407