The Kenting National Park Administration yesterday said that entry fees to some popular tourist attractions within the park are scheduled to increase next year, adding that the new pricing scheme is aimed at controlling the number of visitors in the park and maintaining the quality of tours.
The park management administration said that the Oluanpi Lighthouse National Park and Maobitou Park are two of the most popular scenic spots in the national park, with visitor numbers last year reaching a record high of 1.76 million and 2.87 million respectively.
The administration said the rapid increase in visitors is due to the rise of Chinese tourists, who, since 2008, can travel from China to Taiwan directly.
It said that the increase in visitors has greatly affected the environment. Visitors can have difficulty moving on observation decks because they are often so crowded, the administration said.
People accessing the park service should pay, the administration said, adding that it hoped that increasing the ticket price would help curb tourist numbers and maintain travel quality.
Based on the proposed pricing scheme, entry to Oluanpi Lighthouse National Park is to increase from NT$40 per adult to NT$60, which is scheduled to take effect in January.
Currently, people can visit Maobiou Park free of charge, but in May, fees will be NT$30 per adult.
Jialoshiui (佳樂水) entry fees are to increase from NT$70 to NT$80.
Beginning in March, people visiting Longkeng (龍坑) or Nanrenshan (南仁山) eco-preservation areas must join guided tours, costing NT$1,500 and NT$2,000 respectively. Visitor numbers to Longkeng are capped at 150 in the morning and 150 in the afternoon, whereas Nanrenshan is capped at 400 people per day.
People wishing to watch the sunset at Guanghsan (關山) are to be charged a cleaning fee of NT$60 per person as of next year.
The administration said discounts would apply only to the elderly, children and disabled travelers.
It added that it is considering free entry for Kenting’s Hengchun Township (恆春) residents.
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