TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The average occupancy rate of high-end hotels in Taiwan was 48.06% last year, the fourth lowest in history, but their average room price per night rose to a record high NT$4,195 (US$138), according to the Tourism Bureau.

Despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the average room rate of high-end hotels  in Taiwan has grown for three consecutive years, the data show. Scholars said the main reasons for the expensive prices have been rising commodity prices and labor costs.

Chen Chia-yu (陳家瑜), an associate professor at the Department of Tourism, Shih Hsin University, said that after the opening of Taiwan’s borders, the average room rate of high-end hotels could rise even higher.

In response to the record high prices, the Tourism Bureau said that it hopes the tourism industry can offer more weekday discounts, recommending that consumers do their best to choose non-peak periods for travel, so that both parties can achieve a win-win situation, per CNA.