Tainan Tourism Bureau: The festive spirit remains, welcome to support Tainan through tourism

The 9-day consecutive Chinese New Year holiday has just ended. Although affected by the earthquake, visitors to Tainan's various recreation spots and temples remained enthusiastic. According to statistics, during this year's 9-day Chinese New Year holiday, a total of 7.15 million visitors came to Tainan. Because the number of days in the annual holiday varies each year, compared with the same period during last year's 6-day Chinese New Year holiday, the number of visitors from New Year's Eve to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year this year decreased by about 4%. Among them, the number of visitors to recreation spots was clearly affected by the earthquake, while the number of people visiting temples to pray showed a clear increase.

Although a small number of room cancellations occurred due to the earthquake, most hotels and guesthouses remained fully booked. The booking rate for hotels and guesthouses was still above 90%, especially from the first to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, when they were also almost fully booked. The Tourism Bureau especially thanked the various accommodation operators for providing short-term shelter, rest, meals and washing facilities to disaster victims during the relief period. Through the tourism and accommodation industry system, more than 26 operators enthusiastically joined the effort within just one day. At present, more than 100 people have been sheltered and related services have been provided for more than 1,000 person-times.

This year, the places with more visitors included Nanying Green Heart, Xiaolong Cultural Park, Beimen, Anping, Yanshui Yuejin Port Lantern Festival, Tainan Metropolitan Park, Qigu Salt Mountain, Chimei Museum, Guanziling Hot Spring Area, Nanying Zongye Arts and Culture Center, Chihkan Tower and other attractions.

The Tainan Tourism Bureau said that although the Chinese New Year holiday has temporarily come to an end, activities still ongoing include the 2016 Tainan Flower Festival (until 2/25), the Yanshui Yuejin Port Lantern Festival (until 2/28), the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks (2/21-22), the Luerhmen Mazu Temple Lantern Festival Carnival (2/20), the Luerhmen Tianhou Temple Taiwan New Year Culture Season (until 2/20), etc. All the Chinese New Year series activities will continue in full swing until the Lantern Festival.

Regarding the food across Tainan and its various scenic areas and tourist attractions, there are no travel safety concerns due to the earthquake. Every shop has made full preparations to serve visitors. We sincerely welcome everyone to visit Tainan as usual. This is also a way to support Tainan!