Taiwan government to renovate 500 old hotels

A renovated hotel in Kaohsiung.

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The Taiwan government plans to help 500 old local hotels upgrade and transform their operations, a project that is expected to create thousands of jobs and greatly boost sales, Cabinet officials said Friday.

The plan, part of a government initiative to reinvigorate the country's 50 old-economy industries, will target old hotels and will have them evaluated to spur improvements in their facilities and service, according to the officials.

It is also aimed at promoting brand-building among hotels and assisting them in joining a worldwide booking system, they added.

The project is expected to create 6,000 jobs, NT$13.8 billion (US$460 million) in revenues and investments of NT$1.92 billion (US$302 million).

Taiwan registered 6.08 million foreign tourist arrivals last year, 91% of whom stayed in hotels.
In the first half of this year, local tourist hotels generated revenues of over NT$25.7 billion (US$856.9 million), up 6.55% from last year, government data shows.