Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-03-03
Former President Ma Ying-jeou has traveled to Hualien County in eastern Taiwan to
Former President Ma Ying-jeou (center) poses with a visiting family of tourists during a trip to Hualien Saturday. Ma’s trip is intended to help boost Hualien’s tourism industry, which has slumped since a deadly 6.0 earthquake hit the area in February. (Photo by CNA)
encourage tourism to the area.
Hualien is popular with tourists for its scenic beauty and its variety of indigenous cultures. However, tourism has slumped since a deadly 6.0 earthquake struck the county on February 6.
Ma’s tour included stops in the famous Taroko Gorge, the highlight of eastern Taiwan’s Taroko National Park, as well as a local night market.
Ma said that Hualien is a safe and inexpensive place for tourists and encouraged those who have not been to Hualien before to visit.
Ma said that in order to recover from the earthquake, Hualien needs not just donations but visitors. Ma said he hopes that his efforts to promote Hualien’s tourism industry will help the area return to normal. [FULL STORY]