TAIPEI: The average occupation rate of Taiwan's hotels fell by 1.51 percentage points in the first nine months of this year from a year earlier following the lifting of border controls post-COVID-19, the Tourism Administration said Monday. In addition, average hotel room rates also trended lower by 1.01 percent from a year earlier during the nine months, the agency said.According to Focus Taiwan, lower foreign currency exchange rates have led to more Taiwanese travelers going abroad, reducing demand for hotel rooms and causing hotel rates to drop. During the January-September period, the average hotel occupancy rate in Taiwan was recorded at 48.33 percent, a decline from 49.84 percent over the same period last year. Additionally, average hotel room prices fell by NT$30 (US$0.92) or 1.01 percent from a year earlier, to NT$2,943.However, there are signs of recovery in Hualien and Taitung counties in eastern Taiwan, especially after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook Hualien on April 3. This natural disaster, compounded by several subsequent typhoons, initially dealt a significant blow to the tourism industry. But data compiled by the agency shows improvement, with the average hotel occupancy rate in Hualien rising to 20-30 percent in the third quarter from just 10 percent in the second quarter. In Taitung, occupancy ranged between 23 and 36 percent from April to September, indicating an increasing number of travelers visiting these areas.The agency noted that government relief efforts, such as subsidies on hotel rates for tourists visiting Hualien, have been implemented to aid recovery. Beyond Hualien and Taitung, several other cities and counties also experienced increased hotel occupancy rates from a year earlier in the third quarter. Notable figures include Hsinchu County at 59.68 percent, Tainan at 51.5 percent, New Taipei at 50.35 percent, Kaohsiung at 49.3 percent, the outlying Penghu islands at 37.58 percent, and Yunlin County at 28.49 percent.The agency attributed these improvements to various efforts by regions to attract tourists, including organizing events such as concerts and sports games. For instance, the annual Penghu Ocean Fireworks Festival, held from May 2 to July 30 this year, continues to draw visitors since its inception in 2003.