Tour operators in Kenting (墾丁) have seen a glimmer of hope for bringing visitors back to the once-popular travel destination in southern Taiwan, following an unexpected rise in older travelers.
Once credited by some as the nation’s tropical paradise, Kenting used to attract millions of tourists each year with its beautiful beaches and musical festival Spring Scream.
The number of tourists in Kenting peaked in 2014, when 8.37 million visited after the release of Taiwanese blockbuster film Cape No. 7 (海角七號).
Photo: Tsai Tsung-hsien, Taipei Times
The number has since drastically declined as more young Taiwanese choose to travel overseas.
Kenting’s reputation also suffered a huge hit following extensive media coverage on overpriced hotel rooms and street vendors in Kenting Night Market overcharging tourists.
While Kenting might have lost its appeal among young people, it has appeared to find its way into the hearts of older travelers, who neither care for uploading pictures to Instagram nor reading travelers’ reviews online.
An 82-year-woman surnamed Lai (賴), while sitting in the Howard Beach Resort Kenting, told the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) that this was her eighth visit to Kenting in three years.
She said that overseas travel has stopped being her first choice due to the discomfort of long-distance travel and risks of seeking medical attention in a foreign country.
“Visiting Kenting gives you a quasi-feel for spending a vacation in a foreign country,” Lai said, adding that it has become a must-visit spot for her and her friends each year without having to worry about medical services and language problems.
An 84-year-man surnamed Cheng (鄭) said that his age no longer permits him to have an intense travel itinerary.
The Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島) is a comfort zone in all types of weather, he said.
“Even when there is a downslope wind in Kenting in winter, you can stay in the hotel and chat with your friends or take the shuttle bus to the beach. It provides a sense of safety much like the one you experience at home,” Cheng said.
“Young people like to rush from one place to another and pursue excitement. All we have is time. All we need is a place to feel accepted,” he said.
A 72-year-old woman surnamed Lee (李) said that scenic spots in the Hengchun Peninsula are a little easier on the knees compared with those in central Taiwan.
However, traveling from northern Taiwan to Kenting might be a physical challenge to some older travelers, Lee said, adding that some might not want to come because some bed-and-breakfast operators do not offer shuttle bus services.
A tour guide surnamed Hsu (許) said that creating barrier-free environments for older travelers — who have money, tend to repeatedly return to the places they like and truly love Taiwan — would be key to rebooting tourism in Kenting.
Local governments need to focus on attracting older travelers, aside from attracting young tourists or family travelers, Hsu said.
Flagship accommodation providers such as Caesar Park and Howard Hotels have begun adjusting their business strategies to attract guests by emphasizing medical accessibility, health and wellness.
The Pingtung County Government has also rolled out tourism policies to support these efforts, aiming to position the Hengchun Peninsula as Taiwan’s top destination for older vacationers.
Caesar Park Kenting general manager Kuo Hsuan-tso (郭軒作) said older travelers focus more on a sense of safety.
Compared with scenic spots, Kenting offers not only a relaxing atmosphere of blue skies and ocean views, but also a well-designed, barrier-free environment, with just a 15-minute drive to three hospitals in Hengchun (恆春), Kuo said.
Hotels have also incorporated healthy diet, yoga and meditation into their accommodation offerings to attract older guests for long-term stays, he said.
The county government has also introduced a Senior and Barrier-Free Travel Guide, which provides detailed information on accessible shuttle services and scenic spot locations.
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