Thursday, August 15, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes
On April 3, 2024, at 7:58 AM, a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien in eastern Taiwan, causing widespread damage to the region’s natural landscapes and severely impacting local livelihoods and the economy. Amidst this disaster, Silks Place Taroko emerged as a beacon of hope, offering unwavering support to both victims and travelers. Now, 100 days later, the hotel has transformed these experiences into a visual narrative with the release of the documentary “0403 Earthquake Chronicles | The Power of Hospitality,” which captures firsthand accounts, photos, and videos from survivors. This documentary honors those affected by the tragedy and showcases the incredible resilience and compassion of the Taiwanese people.
During the earthquake rescue efforts, the hotel lobby remained a hub of activity, with staff providing essential assistance and services despite the ongoing crisis.
The earthquake triggered landslides that cut off access to Taroko National Park, disrupting all communication, water, and electricity. At the time, Silks Place Taroko was hosting 319 guests and 125 staff members and took in over 100 tourists from nearby areas who needed shelter. Despite being in need of rescue themselves, the hotel staff transformed the facility into a disaster relief center. They utilized the hotel’s emergency power system and basic food supplies to establish a shelter, offering food and accommodation to everyone stranded in the Tianxiang area. The hotel also worked closely with rescue teams from across Taiwan, setting up a command post to coordinate evacuation efforts and ensure that every guest safely returned home.
Natural disasters strike without warning, but the team at Silks Place Taroko stepped up courageously, turning their spirit of hospitality into practical support and care for their guests. Their selflessness ensured that everyone received the physical and emotional care they needed during this challenging time. Hotel General Manager Chiu Chia-chi reflected, “Hualien is recovering well. As the mountains and forests gradually heal, nature is rejuvenating. With time, Taroko will reveal a transformed landscape.”
The documentary “0403 Earthquake Chronicles | The Power of Hospitality” highlights the challenges and inspiring stories from those difficult days. It emphasizes the resilience and compassion of those involved, showcasing the power of community in the face of a natural disaster. The dedication and courage of the hotel staff during this crisis truly embody the essence of elevated hospitality, reminding us all of the profound impact of compassion in times of adversity.
Commitment to Sustainable Hospitality
At Silks Hotel Group, our commitment to sustainability is unwavering. We are dedicated to shaping a better future by supporting our planet and integrating sustainable practices into our services. Through co-learning, co-creating, co-thriving, and co-sustaining, we strive to enhance our team’s diverse skills and promote sustainable development in everything we do. We believe that the power of service can transform the world, helping people, communities, and the environment thrive, and creating a positive impact for future generations. Our mission is to bring the best of Taiwan to the world and the best of the world to Taiwan.
About Silks Hotel Group
Founded in 1990, Silks Hotel Group (formerly FIH Regent Group) is one of Asia’s leading hotel management groups and the largest hotel group listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The group owns and operates the renowned international luxury hotel Regent Taipei, Regent Galleria shopping mall, and manages the licensing of Regent brand hotels and luxury residences in Taiwan. It also operates three distinct hotel brands: Silks Place, Wellspring by Silks, and Just Sleep, catering to a range of luxury and boutique experiences. In addition to hotels, Silks Hotel Group has expanded into the Food and Beverage industry, operating Silks Palace in the Taiwan National Palace Museum, a prominent culinary and cultural venue.
Tags: Asia, Asia tourism news, eastern taiwan, FIH Regent Group, Hualien, Regent Taipei, Silks Palace, taipei, Taipei tourism news, Taiwan, Taiwan earthquake, Taiwan National Palace Museum, Taiwan Tourism news, Taroko, Taroko National Park, Tianxiang
