Taiwan’s domestic tourism and hotel industries are suffering from the COVID-19 outbreak. However, campsites emphasizing their locations within the great outdoors, are bucking the trend. Bookings are stable and even on the up, with some sites reporting they are already fully-booked through to the Dragon Boat Festival. Those within the industry believe the reason for the increased interest is mainly because guests are able drive to campsites under their own steam, thereby negating the need to use public transport. Additionally, campsites allow guests to enjoy an entire day outdoors without the usual frenetic itinerary, dashing from one scenic spot to another. Guests can relax in relative isolation, far from the madding crowd and the airless confines of a hotel room.
Yilan County’s hotel industry has seen a sharp decline in the number of bookings this month, while the usually thriving five-star hotel sector is reporting that room occupancy rates have slumped to 30 percent. Many of the smaller sized hotels are encouraging their staff to take annual leave and even closing for refurbishment as a way to reduce wage costs.
Wang Jung-sung runs Syano Campsite in Yilan County’s Datong Township accomodates a total of 18 pitches. The campsite has been able to maintain a stable occupancy rate during weekdays throughout the virus outbreak — even increasing occupancy by 30 percent during weekends — and Wang says he currently has bookings all the way up to the Dragon Boat Festival. Wang adds that parents and children alike enjoy the act of camping: everything from pitching the tent and cooking meals fills the day with a full set of fun activities.
Photo: Chang Yi-cheng, Liberty Times
照片：自由時報記者張議晨
Taiwan has undergone a camping trend in recent years, with campsites throughout the nation experiencing rapid growth. There are approximately 80 campsites in Yilan County, most of which are clustered around Jiaosi, Toucheng, Datong and Nanao townships. Chen Chun-yu, director of the Yilan County Camping Industry Development Council, says that the council’s members have not yet experienced any impact from the COVID-19 outbreak. Conversely, Chen says members have actually seen an increase in business and adds that there will be opportunities for expansion in the near future with more people traveling outside of urban areas as a way to escape the epidemic.
(Translated by Edward Jones, Taipei Times)
國內旅宿業受武漢肺炎疫情衝擊，不過，主打親近自然的露營區卻異軍突起，入住率持穩甚至增加，假日熱門，有的營區帳位已被預定到端午節。業者認為是露營遊客以自駕為主，營區又在戶外可玩整天，不用四處跑景點，住宿環境與旅館等密閉空間不同，人群接觸少，成為出遊熱門選項。
宜蘭縣住宿業三月住宿率大幅下滑，平時業績長紅的五星級飯店，三月住房率僅剩三成，還有多家旅館「鼓勵」員工休假，甚至提前閉館「整修」，減少人事開銷。
大同鄉「夏諾營」業者王榮松經營四年，擁有十八個帳位，平日入住率與疫情爆發前持平，但假日業績增加約三成，預約單排至端午節。他指出，露營是親子同樂的活動，搭帳篷、煮飯就能玩一整天。
台灣近年吹起露營熱潮，各縣市露營區雨後春筍冒出來，宜蘭縣目前約有八十處露營區，集中在礁溪、頭城、大同、南澳等地。宜蘭縣露營產業發展協會理事長陳俊宇指出，協會會員普遍未受疫情影響，業績持平甚至增加，仍有發展機會，他看旺未來「逃疫」出遊的露營市場。
(自由時報記者張議晨)
When it comes to movies, some people delight in watching spine-chilling horror films. Surprisingly, apart from containing a few scares, horror movies may also offer an unexpected __1__. According to a study, watching 90 minutes of a scary movie can burn an average of 113 calories, which is roughly __2__ to taking a 30-minute walk. Researchers from the University of Westminster carried out an experiment in which they __3__ participants’ oxygen intake, carbon dioxide output, and heart rates while they were watching horror movies without any distractions. The results revealed that physiological responses to fear play a crucial role
Bilingual Story is a fictionalized account. 雙語故事部分內容純屬虛構。 Echo pulled out a worn and tattered shoe box under father’s large oak desk. “Mariko, what should we do with these family photos?” Mariko stared at the old box with a slightly hurt expression, and then blankly at the photos. “Throw them in the garbage pile. . . along with that old, ratty box,” she murmured. She resented that her father had not cared enough to find a nicer home for the family photos. “Father never really cared about me anyway.” Echo’s emotion sensor detected sorrow. ”Mariko, that is
In the vast landscapes of Australia, a unique and charming creature roams — the “wombat.” These round, adorable animals possess surprising abilities and fascinating traits that never fail to amaze. Let’s explore the world of this remarkable creature. Wombats are marsupials native to Australia, measuring around one meter in length and weighing between 20 and 35kg. Their fur varies in color, ranging from brown to gray to black. As herbivores, they primarily feed on grass, bark and roots. To adapt to Australia’s weather conditions, wombats have developed a slow metabolism and a leisurely pace. However, despite their bulky appearance,
Dos & Don’ts — 想想看，這句話英語該怎麼說？ 1. 你覺得這部電影怎樣？ ˇ What do you think of the movie? χ How do you like the movie? χ How do you think of the movie? 註︰What do you think of ＝ What is your opinion of。 think 的受詞是 what，不能用 how。 2. 你認為哪一個歌星唱得最好？ ˇ Which singer do you think is the best? χ Do you think which singer is the best? 註︰英語中 which singer 似乎是 do you think 的受詞，實則 do you think 是插入語，其他例子如下： 你以為他喜歡誰？ Who do you think he likes? 你以為我住在哪裏？ Where do you think I live? 你想我昨天在公園裏碰到了誰？ Whom/Who do you think I met in the park yesterday? 3. 他不論到什麼地方，總是帶著一把雨傘。 ˇ No matter where he goes, he
RSS