Immediate Response to the Disaster: Housing and Financing Support
In the immediate aftermath of the quake, the Tourism Administration swiftly introduced subsidies for temporary lodging, providing short-term accommodation for displaced families while stabilizing revenues for licensed hotels and guesthouses. Soon after, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the National Development Council, the “0403 Hualien Earthquake Guaranteed Loan Program” was launched, enabling hotels, travel agencies, amusement park operators, and other tourism-related businesses to secure funding to rebuild. To further support accommodation providers, the Tourism Administration revised the “Directions for Financing Credit Guarantees for Disaster-Affected Hotels” to raise guarantee ratios for affected accommodation providers. On November 29 of the same year, the Hualien Tourism Revitalization Project Office was established as a key platform for coordinating central and local resources and addressing industry needs.
Upgrading Attractions: Balancing Reconstruction and Sustainability
Reconstruction and relief proceeded in tandem. The East Rift Valley and East Coast National Scenic Area Administrations actively carried out repair projects at sites under their jurisdiction, completing in 2024 the restoration of trails, restrooms, pavilions, and parking facilities at Liyu (Carp) Lake, Linrong, Jiqi, Baqi, and Dashibi recreation areas. In addition, NT$85 million from the Hualien–Taitung Sustainable Development Fund was allocated to support the Hualien County Government's "Organic and Sustainable Tourism Transformation and Revitalization Integration Plan" and the Taitung County Government's "2024 Tourism Revitalization Plan," laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable tourism development in Eastern Taiwan.
Driving Visitor Growth: Subsidies and Special Offers
To restore visitor momentum, the Tourism Administration introduced a series of incentives including accommodation subsidies for individual travelers, group tour discounts, and transportation offers. The Individual Traveler Accommodation Subsidy Program supported more than 740,000 room nights in Hualien and over 240,000 in Taitung, attracting over two million visits and generating more than NT$10 billion in tourism revenue. At the same time, group tour subsidies brought around 52,000 visitors to Hualien and 49,000 to Taitung, contributing an additional NT$670 million in output.
In addition, by linking transportation discounts with tourism resources, the Tourism Administration launched free rides on Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes with electronic tickets, an 80% off promotion on Taiwan Tour Bus package tours to Hualien and Taitung, as well as access to a limited-time "2-for-1" Taiwan PASS Taiwan Rail Edition offer. These measures generated more than NT$48 million in tourism benefits.
To boost tourism in Hualien, the Tourism Administration carried out the "80% Off Hualien Amusement Parks" campaign from October 7 to November 30, 2024. During the promotion, visitors to the county’s two amusement facilities, Farglory Ocean Park and Yiyuan Resort, enjoyed 80% off admission. The campaign attracted more than 100,000 visitors, boosted local foot traffic and business opportunities, and generated approximately NT$240 million in tourism revenue, successfully drawing travelers to Eastern Taiwan.
Reviving Eastern Taiwan Tourism: Charter Flights and International Marketing
The tourism revitalization strategy extended beyond the domestic market to attract overseas visitors. Just seven days after the earthquake, the Tourism Administration hosted a promotional event in Japan. In September, it released the video "On the Way to Eastern Taiwan: Travel Freely with Peace of Mind", followed in December by "Smiling Nanwan", highlighting the region’s safe environment, cultural richness, and natural attractions.
At the same time, the Tourism Administration promoted subsidies for international charter flights to Hualien and Taitung, as well as accommodation incentives for foreign tour groups. In 2024, under the Hualien–Taitung Charter Flight Incentive Program, funding was increased in the second half of the year to continue attracting international visitors. That year, more than 20 international charter flights arrived in the region, bringing over 1,500 international travelers.
Between August and December 2024, additional accommodation subsidies were granted, with 312 foreign tour groups applying.
Building a Regional Brand: Spotlight Events and Themed Itineraries
The East Coast and East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administrations collaborated to establish a tourism alliance, integrating related industries and resources to promote the "East of Taiwan" regional tourism brand internationally. At the same time, themed itineraries were used to connect key attractions with various tourism events, attracting visitors to explore Eastern Taiwan on a deeper level.
To stimulate tourism recovery in Hualien, the main venue for the 2024 World Bicycle Day activity on June 1 was held for the first time at Liyu (Carp) Lake. Minister of Transportation and Communications Li Meng-yen led the ride, with Taiwan divided into 46 cycling segments and participation from eight counties and cities, attracting about 7,000 participants nationwide. The event boosted local industries and was integrated with the Hualien–Taitung Tourism Circle marketplace to promote local industries. From June 1 to September 1, the 2024 Solar Festival in Taiwan was held along with the debut of the Mid-Summer Formosa Train offering a seasonal train service between Yuli and Taitung.
In addition, the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration launched five immersive travel programs—"East Rift Valley Time Machine," "Ancient-Trail Hiking in the East Rift Valley" "Rice-Themed Tours of the East Rift Valley," "East Rift Valley Festival," and "Slow Cycling Tours of the East Rift Valley. "Each program guided visitors through rich cultural and natural experiences with themed narratives.
Looking ahead, the Tourism Administration will continue to support local governments through tourism development subsidies, create new attractions under initiatives such as the Tropic of Cancer Summit Flagship Project – “Smiling Nanwan in Taiwan”, organizing a variety of events, and strengthen both domestic and international marketing. These efforts aim to position Hualien and Taitung as preferred destinations for international travelers while revitalizing Taiwan's domestic tourism market.
From post-disaster relief to long-term revitalization, and from local initiatives to international engagement, the efforts in Hualien and Taitung go beyond mere crisis management, representing a full-scale reconstruction of tourism value. Today, Eastern Taiwan remains as picturesque as ever, yet exudes renewed resilience and warmth—ready to welcome visitors once again to the region.
