Wang Wude, General Manager of Yuechuan Hotel: “Unique Features and Cost-Performance Ratio” Are Key to Boosting Domestic Tourism

▲ Wang Wude, General Manager of Yuechuan Hotel in Yilan.

Reported and photographed by Cai Wenjun / Special Report

In recent years, with the entry of low-cost airlines into Taiwan and the opening of new routes, traveling abroad has become increasingly affordable and convenient. Coupled with the perception among many that accommodation and other expenses in Taiwan are almost as costly as going overseas, the willingness to travel within Taiwan has significantly declined. How to attract and increase the domestic tourist base has become an important issue for tourism operators across Taiwan.Wang Wude, General Manager of Yuechuan Hotel in Yilan, believes that for hotel and lodging businesses aiming to boost domestic visitors, having “unique features” and a good “cost-performance ratio” are two key factors.

▲ Yuechuan Hotel is located in downtown Yilan.

Giant Chuan Construction, which has been deeply rooted in Yilan for over 30 years, spent four years preparing to create a flagship project of its own. Targeting the domestic tourism market, it finally launched its first star-rated hotel brand, “Yuechuan Hotel,” which officially opened on Christmas Eve 2016 in downtown Yilan.

“During the preparation phase, we did not target mainland Chinese tourists as our main customer base. Instead, we considered what kind of style could attract domestic travelers to stay with us,” said Wang Wude. He explained that Yuechuan Hotel took over four years to plan. In the early stages, there weren’t many mainland Chinese tourists, and even though their numbers increased significantly later in the planning process, the direction of the project was never altered.

▲ A large book wall is the most distinctive feature of Yuechuan Hotel.

▲ In the family rooms, guests can see hand-painted Yilan landscapes by local Yilan artists.

Wang Wude believes that for a hotel to attract domestic travelers, it must have “unique features.” “Having a memorable and distinctive feature can turn the hotel itself into a tourist attraction, or even feel like a ‘home’ in another city, encouraging guests to return again and again,” said Wang. He gave the example that the concept of Yuechuan Hotel is that of a house filled with books. A striking 8-meter-high book wall in a corner of the lobby features a transparent skywalk, and every floor leading to the guest rooms is packed with books, filling the entire space with the aroma of literature. The relaxed and leisurely atmosphere is deeply etched in the minds of travelers, becoming the hotel’s most standout feature.

▲ A family play area of nearly 100 ping (approximately 330 square meters) is available for free to guests, and can also be used by non-guests for a fee.

▲ More than half of the rooms offer direct views of Guishan Island.

Cost-performance ratio is another major draw for domestic tourists. Wang Wude cited Yuechuan Hotel as an example: “Although Yuechuan is a 4-star hotel, it offers a diverse selection of meals, a family-friendly space of nearly 100 ping that includes a small slide, various toys, and even electric play equipment available for free to guests. Additionally, more than half of the rooms offer direct views of Guishan Island.”

In terms of service, Yuechuan Hotel requires its staff to treat guests with the same warmth and friendliness as they would family or close friends. From facilities to service, everything is on par with a 5-star hotel, yet the price is only half that of a 5-star establishment—this is one of the reasons Yuechuan Hotel continues to attract guests.