Become an Honorary Friend of the East Coast and Enjoy Cash Discounts on East Coast Tours!

By Wei Ruyu, Compiled and Reported

The “East Coast Travel Ambassadors Recruitment Campaign,” which received an enthusiastic response from visitors this year, will also continue in 2012 under the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The 2012 New Year’s Day Sunrise Event at Sanciyuan was the first route planned as part of the “East Coast Travel Ambassadors Recruitment Campaign.” Visitors only need to take a selfie in front of the campaign billboard and upload it to the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration’s “Recruitment for the Second East Coast Travel Ambassadors Campaign” website to earn points for one certified route.

To allow all visitors who love Hualien and Taitung to become East Coast Travel Ambassadors, the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration has expanded the number of campaign routes from 11 this year to 15. In addition to events organized by the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration itself, activities hosted by Hualien County Government, Taitung County Government, and Taitung City Government have also been included. Therefore, as long as visitors upload their event photos to the campaign’s official website and download the East Coast Mobile App before the end of October 2012, they will earn one point. The East Coast National Scenic Area Administration will tally the top 600 participants who have completed the most routes and award them the “Honorary Friend of the East Coast Card,” symbolizing the highest honor.

The “Honorary Friend of the East Coast Card” is valid for three years. In addition to premium cash gifts (the first 100 cards come with a NT$5,000 credit, and the next 500 with a NT$500 credit), the card also grants access to special discount offers from 20 businesses in the Hualien, Taitung, and Green Island areas. These include discounted flights and car rentals between Taitung and Taipei; a 50% discount and automatic upgrade to a presidential suite when staying at the Tonlin Grand Hotel in Zhiben Hot Spring area of Taitung, and free chauffeur service plus two complimentary luxury dinners when staying at the Naluwan Hotel. The East Coast Public Service Resort Hotel offers a NT$700 discount on the day’s room rate, along with free tickets for whale and dolphin watching tours and the Clownfish Museum, among other great deals. Other hotels, including the Funo Leisure Hot Spring Resort, Kangqiao Hotel, and Fukang Hotel, also provide 12 exclusive, high-value offers!

In addition, from now until December 31, guests staying at any of the 17 accommodation providers in Taitung County’s Zhiben, Green Island, Luye, East Coast areas, and Hualien County’s Antong hot spring region can receive a gift box of three navel oranges. Limited quantities are available and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more details about the campaign, please visit traveling.eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw/sunup/east.html