202503/05
The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) and Chiabo Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Lakeshore Hotel, signed the contract for the “Chiayi City Alishan Forest Railway Beimen Station Hotel Construction and Operation Transfer Project” today (03/05). The signing was undertaken by Wang Jau Pao, Director of the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office, and Cheng Chun-Huan, General Manager of Lakeshore Hotel. The operation of the hotel will be entrusted for 20 years to jointly promote tourism, forestry, and railway culture in the greater Chiayi region.
A number of representatives of the Legislative Yuan, council members, neighborhood representatives, and other distinguished guests were present to witness the agreement. The guests included Deputy Director General Lin Hao-Chen of the FANCA, Mayor Huang Min-Hui of Chiayi City, Deputy Executive Director Lee Pi-Ching of the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Joint Services Center of the Executive Yuan, and Deputy Director Chen Rong-Chin of the Alishan National Scenic Area Headquarters of the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
Entering a New Stage of Public-Private Collaboration to Complete the Alishan Forest Railway Tourism and Accommodation Network
Beimen Station Hotel was formerly known as Lishin Hotel. In accordance with the Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects, it adopted the Rehabilitate-Operate-Transfer (ROT) public-private collaboration method to publicly invite investment, providing a 20-year operating license. Lakeshore Hotel raised its investment amount from NT$138 million to NT$250 million, an increase of more than 80%, which shows that it has great confidence in the future tourism development of the Alishan Forest Railway. At this stage, both parties will work together to make the Beimen Station Hotel the first railroad hotel in Taiwan that combines accommodation, dining, cultural and creative merchandise display and sales, as well as railroad, cultural, and ecological related services. The hotel is expected to be under construction for one and a half years, and will be completed and officially in operation by 2026.
Congratulations on the Deal! Creating a Win-Win Situation for the Government, the Public, and Enterprises
Wang Jau Pao, Director of the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office, said that after the government purchased back the ownership of the Beimen Station Hotel for NT$750 million in 2021, it was decided that investment would be open to the public to entrust the operation of the hotel to private organizations, in order to promote private participation in infrastructure projects. This can help maximize the benefits of public construction, bring in private funds and professionals to carry out the necessary repairs, maintenance and operation of the hotel, provide quality catering and accommodation services, and promote the development of tourism in Chiayi. It is hoped that this endeavor will effectively revitalize public assets, enhance the quality of public services, further create local employment opportunities, and provide tourists with diversified experiences and accommodation and dining options, thus creating a win-win situation for the government, the public, and enterprises.
Creating a Cultural Landmark with an International Perspective based on Forestry Culture
Lakeshore Hotel further explained that it expects to invest NT$250 million in the planning, design, and renovation of the hotel’s interior and exterior, providing at least 131 guest rooms, 2 restaurants, a tea house, a combination store, and public areas. It will also work with a professional team to plan experience itineraries for the five senses based on the forestry culture, guiding tourists through the local culture. They will also be adopting more sustainable elements into the construction method and eco-experiences to create a cultural landmark for Chiayi with an international perspective.