Matsu Tops Mid-Autumn Holiday Booking Rate at 83.43%, National Average at 49.3%

According to a report by Central News Agency reporter Yu Hsiao-han, the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications released accommodation booking rates for the 2023 Dragon Boat Festival holiday, which runs from June 19 to June 21. As of June 12, the average booking rate for the first two days (June 19–20) was 49.3%, an increase compared to 45.8% during the same period last year.

The top three counties with the highest booking rates were Lienchiang County (83.43%), Yunlin County (66.38%), and Nantou County (62.61%). Thirteen counties and cities, including Keelung City, Taipei City, Taichung City, Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Tainan City, Pingtung County, Yilan County, Hualien County, and Penghu County, exceeded the national average.

On June 19, Lienchiang County’s occupancy rate surpassed 80%, with 11 other counties and cities—Penghu, Yunlin, Taipei, Taichung, Nantou, Chiayi City, Tainan, Pingtung, Yilan, and Hualien—exceeding 50%. On June 20, 13 counties and cities, including Lienchiang, Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Keelung, Taipei, Taichung, Nantou, Yunlin, Tainan, Pingtung, Yilan, Hualien, and Penghu, reported occupancy rates above 50%.

Industry analysts attribute Lienchiang County’s high occupancy to the annual 'Blue Tears' season in Matsu, a natural bioluminescent phenomenon caused by plankton, which has attracted numerous tourists. Special events and promotions during this period have further boosted visitor numbers.

The Tourism Administration noted that the Dragon Boat Festival is one of Taiwan’s three major traditional holidays, typically associated with返乡 travel. Despite this, the year-on-year growth in booking rates indicates a continued recovery in domestic tourism demand. The current data was collected seven days before the holiday, and as many travelers tend to book accommodations closer to the departure date, final occupancy rates may be even higher.