Hualien Guangfu Tourism Rebounds During Dragon Boat Festival; Sugar Refinery Ice Shop Sees Long Queues

During the Dragon Boat Festival long weekend, tourist traffic in Hualien's Guangfu Township increased, with the Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) ice shop attracting long queues and local accommodations reaching approximately 40% occupancy. Following natural disasters in September, the Commercial Development Administration has actively supported local recovery, assisting 271 businesses and implementing revitalization activities, including the "Rice and Fragrance Festival" which debuted at the Guangfu Sugar Refinery.

Deputy Director-General Chen Mi-shun stated that the event integrates local agricultural specialties—such as red and black glutinous rice—with stalls from Guangfu, Wanrong, and Fenglin. Visitors spending over NT$300 are eligible for a lucky draw, featuring accommodation vouchers for the sugar refinery's Japanese-style guesthouse. Chen noted that while some disaster-stricken areas are still under reconstruction, commercial activity in general areas has returned to pre-disaster levels, bolstered by an influx of young entrepreneurs.

Ou Chu-nan, deputy director of Taisugar’s Hualien-Taitung branch, reported that the administration’s series of events has provided substantive support to shop revenue and visitor numbers. While not yet back to pre-disaster peak levels, there is a clear upward trend in foot traffic. Taisugar continues to support local businesses through rent reductions to alleviate operational pressures during the ongoing recovery phase.