TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Rough seas sharply reduced ferry services between Donggang and Xiaoliuqiu on Tuesday, adding to losses for local tourism businesses during the peak summer season.
CNA reported that Typhoon Bavi disrupted the route for several days, with ferries operating for only half a day last Thursday and most services suspended from Friday to Sunday. Most ferry services resumed Monday but were suspended again Tuesday as southwest winds and high tides brought waves exceeding two meters.
Only ferries operated by the Dongliu Line Joint Operations Center ran on Tuesday morning. Other operators suspended their services, according to CTS News.
Xiaoliuqiu Tourism Development Association Chair Li Chia-chi (李佳旗) said the island was unusually quiet. Many visitors who had planned to stay overnight returned to Taiwan’s main island Monday after ferry companies announced further service suspensions.
Lee said travelers were concerned they might become stranded on Xiaoliuqiu without a return ferry. As a result, many changed their overnight stays to day trips.
Xiaoliuqiu usually receives about 4,000 to 5,000 visitors each weekday during the summer vacation. Lee said several days of ferry suspensions had caused serious losses for hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and other tourism businesses.
Local operators are used to weather-related disruptions during summer, Lee said. However, they still regretted losing several valuable business days during the busiest part of the year.
