Hualien is not doing enough
The Hualien County Government is seeking to revitalize eastern Taiwan’s economy after the April 3 earthquake by offering tourism-focused measures. However, the distribution of stipends has only just started and is no match for the deluges that caused landslides and collapsed roads, with the measures beating the already dead horse of tourism.
Natural disasters speak to Hualien’s sorrows, but transportation should not be politicized. The county should try more appropriate plans.
Safer travel is not only what Hualien needs, but something all Taiwanese hope for. It is clear that industrial development needs improvement. Hualien does not need to rehash failed methods that do not treat underlying issues.
Local tourism statistics show that about 274,000 people visited the county in May. Compared with the about 281,000 who visited in April after the quake, that is only a difference of about 7,000 people. The total fell 2.49 percent. Obviously this is a narrow time frame, but night market vouchers have not stymied the tourist slump.
Hualien’s development depends on industry and tourism, yet the county invested loads of money into tourism. Each year, it holds the Muscovy Duck Fun Summer Vacation at Liyu Lake (鯉魚潭) and the Hualien Summer Festival. The county changes the names every year, but never the substance. This raises questions about what exactly Hualien is known for.
Taroko National Park was severely damaged in April’s earthquake, and is to remain closed for at least one year. Without this national park, what can Hualien rely on to resurrect tourism?
It has already issued night market and farm tour vouchers, and homestay stipends to revive tourism. These are one-time measures, but with the massive muck-up of even reaching the county, tourism there is a pie-in-the-sky industry with little near-term hope of salvation.
Hualien should do all it can to create a major transition plan that solves underlying problems.
For example, the Hualien County Culture Affairs Bureau’s YouTube channel, with nearly 600 videos uploaded, does not even have 1,500 followers. Most of its videos have not even broken 1,000 views.
The county’s manga program provides artists with space for working on their craft, helping raise talented creators, and yet, its official Facebook page has remained stagnant, gathering digital dust for a long time.
The county seems to have made no progress, let alone breathed new life into its cultural industry over the past few years.
The General’s House, a Japanese-era military officer neighborhood built in 1936 next to the Meilun River (美崙溪), has many small eateries and souvenir shops nearby, but the focus is on high-end cuisine — there is no trace of Hualien fare to be found, no sign of the county’s character.
The greatest problem facing the county government’s cultural promotion efforts is that it has not figured out what showcases the county. It lacks cohesive planning. Even the official county Web site is lackluster.
Hualien is blessed with beautiful mountains, the ocean and vistas. It is home to National Dong Hwa University and Tzu Chi University, and is a talent-incubation area. The core issue is whether the county government can forge a first-rate development plan.
Industrial transition is not only an antidote to unstable tourism, but also an opportunity for job growth and attracting talent, softening the aging population problem. The county should not remain asleep at the wheel.
Lin Tung-chieh
Hualien County
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