The Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi County this year is estimated to have generated about NT$31.6 billion (US$984.7 million) in tourism-related economic output, including accommodation, dining, transportation, souvenirs and other types of consumption, the Tourism Administration said on the weekend.
During the festival, hotel occupancy rates were 95 percent and 100 percent in Chiayi County’s Puzih (朴子) and Taibao (太保) cities respectively, Chiayi County Government data showed.
Hotel occupancy rates over weekends exceeded 90 percent in Chiayi City, while businesses in commercial districts were up about 30 percent, data showed.
Photo: Taipei Times
“This shows that hosting large festivals helps stimulate the local economy,” the Tourism Administration said.
The Taiwan Lantern Festival has become a national brand that best represents Taiwan since its establishment in 1990, it said, adding that the event has evolved into a national platform integrating cultural performances, city marketing and the tourism industry.
The Tourism Administration said it was in charge of determining the general direction of the lantern exhibition, its international marketing and branding strategy, while the Chiayi County Government handled selecting and preparing the venue, transportation and other services.
The agency said that, aside from subsidizing the Chiayi County Government to host the festival, it spent an additional NT$225.9 million to maintain the quality of the festival’s main exhibition area.
It said it also helped raise NT$29.97 million from private sponsors and worked with the Highway Bureau to provide NT$21 million to facilitate the transportation of visitors.
The agency added that it also allocated NT$24.99 million to help the Chiayi County Government host lantern competition workshops, prepare emergency response plans, and establish electrical engineering and broadcasting systems.
The Chiayi County Government has received NT$86.99 million from other government agencies, it said.
The Chiayi County Government has the authority to decide how to handle the main lantern, Alishan, Veiled in Luminous Mist (光沐-世界的阿里山), after the festival, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it has made recommendations based on potential maintenance costs, suitable exhibition venues and potential tourism benefits.
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