Cruise tourism in Hualien took a hopeful turn this week. The luxury cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II arrived at Hualien Port on Thursday. This marked the first international cruise stop since last year’s devastating earthquake.
The ship carried 180 tourists. After arriving from Manila around midday, they visited Taroko National Park, temples, and other local attractions. Later, the vessel was scheduled to depart for Keelung Port in northern Taiwan.
The earthquake disrupted travel routes and damaged several popular destinations. As a result, tourism in Hualien dropped sharply. Local and central governments responded with targeted subsidies to revive the industry. Hualien Port offered cruise ships free anchorage to help attract visits.
Lin Ching-fu, Hualien Port’s Harbor Master, explained the impact of the quake on cruise travel. He shared that 14 cruise ships had been scheduled to visit in the previous year. However, 10 cancelled after the earthquake struck.
According to Lin, the Scenic Eclipse II’s visit sends a strong message. It shows cruise tourism in Hualien is beginning to recover. He said the port’s decision to waive anchorage fees cost about NT$1.21 million (US$36,930). Still, officials see it as an important investment in tourism recovery.
Nine more cruise ships are expected to dock in Hualien this year. These ships will bring approximately 4,100 passengers. Forecasts for next year look even better, with 15 cruise ships and 25,000 passengers anticipated. Those numbers match the port’s pre-quake levels.
Yu Ming-hsun, Hualien County’s Tourism Director, highlighted government efforts to attract visitors. The local government is now working to bring in charter flights from Japan and South Korea.
He emphasized the importance of international visitors in revitalizing the area’s tourism. Yu added that improvements to infrastructure and safety reassurances have also helped.
As more visitors return, cruise tourism in Hualien could see a full revival. If planned efforts succeed, 2025 may mark a turning point for the region’s travel industry. This recent docking is only the beginning of what officials hope will be a stronger tourism future. Cruise tourism in Hualien is officially back on course.
