He also proudly recalled how key Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) figures, including President Chen Shui-bian (
This time, he has decided to participate in every part of Le Midi's management, hiring several top executives from other five-star hotels to help make up for his lack of experience.
Roger Lin (
"Fixing leaks and getting bulking tiles back to the normal shape are not as easy as people think. Rebuilding a damaged hotel is actually more difficult than constructing a new one from scratch," said Lin, who has been in the hotel industry for nearly 40 years since entering it at age 17.
As the hardest hit area during the 921 Earthquake and Typhoon Toraji, Nantou has recovered well.
Lin said Le Midi could rake in sales of NT$500 million per annum and break even in three to six years, with more than 85 percent of its guests expected to be domestic tourists.
Despite competitors' optimism that the opening of Taiwan to Chinese tourists could benefit the domestic tourism industry, Lin said Le Midi would target the recreational and conference needs of Taiwanese, since the location is a bit far from where most international tourists travel.
Lee Li-yu suspects that Chinese travelers will head to Sun Moon Lake, which is 30 to 40 minutes by car from Le Midi, while Taiwanese tourists generally prefer a "forest shower" in Chitou Forest Recreational Area (
Lee Li-yu's new business venture also seems to have stimulated great interest in him.
"Now I've had several hotel ventures in negotiation, including some new ones and the possibility of taking over others from their current operators. Decisions will be made when Le Midi's operation is on track," Lee Li-yu said. "I believe my adventurous spirit will make many things happen."
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