Taichung City Government actively promotes international tourism cooperation and exchange, which not only creates new flight routes for Taichung International Airport but also attracts tourists from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, and other Southeastern Asia with the goal of “Flying in and out from Taichung.” Japan’s Hoshino Resorts is very optimistic about the future of Taichung’s tourism. After building a hotel in Ubud Bali, Hoshino Resorts decided to build their second hotel outside Japan in Kukuan Taichung, “Hoshino Resorts Kukuan.” Today (12th), a press conference was held in Ximending’s Red House in Taipei. Taichung City Mayor, Chia-Lung Lin said that all sectors are welcome to invest in the development of Taichung’s tourism. It is hoped that through the opening of “Hoshino Resorts Kukuam,” Taiwanese people can enjoy their Japanese experience at the local area, and more Japanese people will visit Taichung, touring the World Flora Exposition and enjoying Kukuan’s hot spring.

Today, Mayor Lin, accompanied by Commissioner of Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau, Shengshan Chen, attended “Hoshino Resorts Hotel Investment Announcement Press Conference” in which the Chairman of Hoshino Resorts, Hoshino Yashiji, explained the future plan of “Hoshino Resorts Kukuan” in person. It is expected that the next Spring, Hoshino Resorts will bring a more international and creative hot spring experience to the Kukuan area. The investor of “Hoshino Resorts Kukuan,” Mengbi Lin, Chairman of Wenshan Co., Ltd. also attended the conference.

Chairman of Hoshino Resorts, Hoshino Yashiji said that his first impression of Kukuan is that it has high-quality hot spring and sufficient water for the hot spring. Everyone knows that Japan has many well-known hot spring hotels, but Japan is not like Taiwan and does not have hotels that can use a huge amount of hot spring water. When Japan plans to build hot spring hotels, frequently encountered problems include not only the quality of hot spring, but also the hot spring water volume. That is, how to make limited hot spring water available to all guests who can experience hot spring the most is an issue to be considered.

However, Taichung’s Kukuan does not have this issue and can accommodate all kinds of plans. “Hoshino Resorts Kukuan” includes a total of 50 rooms in which guests can enjoy the local hot spring of Kukuan. Hoshino Resorts hopes to let guests to simply enjoy the beauty and comfort of the hot spring. The resorts also includes an elegant SPA and a Japanese-style bathing pool which are good ways to enjoy the hot spring. Currently, the facilities of the resort are almost complete. The resort is expected to open for reservation on January next year and starts to run in May or June.

Why would Hoshino Resorts choose to build a new hotel in Kukuan, Taichung? The Chairman of Hoshino Resorts explained that first of all, many Taiwanese tourists visit Taiwan, so Taiwan’s domestic traveling market also has potential for growth. Secondly, it is because the quality of Taiwan’s hot spring is comparable to Japan’s. Moreover, Taiwan has more mountains with an elevation higher than Japan’s mountains, which means that Taiwan is rich in natural resources. Therefore, if these charming characteristics of Taiwan are promoted, Taiwanese tourists can also enjoy their domestic tours.

In addition, more Taiwanese tourists visit Japan than Japanese tourists visiting Taiwan. Thus, the “Hoshino Resorts Kukuan” can let not only Japanese tourists but also tourists around the world know that Taiwan is such a great place. Every tourist will know that besides Taipei, there are other tourists attractions in Taiwan, and everyone is welcome to Taichung.

Mayor Lin said that Kukuan hot spring is well-known even during the Japanese colonization times. At that time, it was called Meiji hot spring. When something can be named with “Meiji,” it means that it must contain the best quality at that time. It is indeed true. Hoshino Resorts’ first investment in Taiwan is in Kukuan, Taichung, so Taichung City Government values this case and does its best to help with the investment procedures. Now it all comes to the last step, and the resorts will open at the beginning of the next year. Because this investment is located in “Kukuan” with the best quality of hot spring and run by Hoshino Resorts from the hometown of hot spring, Japan, it is believed that Hoshino Resorts Kukuan will be the hot spring resort with the highest quality, which can also improve the management quality of local hotels.

Mayor Lin pointed out that Taichung City has become the second largest city in Taiwan and also recognized as the most livable city. Gaomei Wetland was previously selected by the Japanese travel agency network as the most desirable place Japanese wants to visit overseas in autumn. With Hoshino Resorts Kukuan and Gaomei Wetland’s beautiful views, Taichung City Government has picked the top 10 beautiful scenery from mountains to the seaside including Houli, Waipu, and Fengyuan where World Flora Exposition will take place, the whole area where Dajia River runs through, and of course, Kukuan.

Mayor Lin also said that with Taichung World Flora Exposition being about to open on November 3 this year, he looks forward to the open of “Hoshino Resorts Kukuan” that will enable Taiwanese to enjoy the experience as if they were Japan. Also, more Japanese will be attracted to visit Taichung.

According to Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau, Taichung City Government welcomes all sectors investing in Taichung’s tourism industry and development. Hoshino Resorts’ investment is going through all kinds of administrative procedures to complete the hotel application. City Government will take the responsibility as a competent authority to take natural ecology and sustainable development into accounts. They are also core values that Taichung World Flora Exposition advocates – coexistence of nature and humane culture. All national and international friends are welcome to visit 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition from this coming November 3.