It’s not just about Mainland Chinese tourists anymore ! Fengjia Night Market’s decline: Vendors reveal the main reason

Aside from the sharp drop in tourist numbers to domestic attractions such as Kenting and Taroko Gorge due to the absence of Mainland Chinese visitors, local night markets and commercial districts are also facing challenges. However, beyond the impact of fewer Mainland Chinese tourists, some vendors at Fengjia Night Market point out that Taiwan’s economic climate is the biggest factor forcing businesses to struggle on.

According to a report in today’s Apple Daily, statistics show that the Fengjia commercial district, which attracts over ten million visitors annually, experienced its first decline in 2016, with visitor numbers dropping by more than a million compared to the previous year. Coupled with Taiwan’s poor economic conditions, the overall district saw a loss of NT$330 million in revenue.

A chicken cutlet shop owner at Fengjia Night Market revealed that compared to the impact of fewer Mainland Chinese tourists, Taiwan’s weak economy, which has led to a decline in consumer spending, is the main reason behind the sharp drop in business volume in the Fengjia area.

The business of tea eggs at Sun Moon Lake may seem decent, but this can only be considered maintaining the bare minimum, as at least 90% of the visitors here are domestic tourists. (Photo credit: Our newspaper archives)

In addition, at Sun Moon Lake, one of the areas hardest hit by the decline in Mainland Chinese tourists, local merchants have reported that tourists now only want to spend money on snacks and drinks, and are unwilling to buy souvenirs or agricultural products.