Restarting in the Post-Pandemic Era-2: Revitalizing Taipei’s Nighttime Economy - 臺北產經資訊網

Taipei City has an interesting and diverse economic model. The Taipei City Government has long understood that the traditional consumer model can no longer meet the needs of the contemporary consumer, and has hence proposed various nighttime economic activities by creating public spaces for nighttime performances, night markets, light shows, and much more; which would enable a single location to cater to multiple consumer needs throughout the entire day. By focusing on the aspects of management model, culture, travel, and entertainment, Taipei City Government plans to examine business opportunities for Taipei City’s nighttime economy as well as its economic potential.

Management model: creating a diverse business model by extending business hours

Whether it is day or night, Taipei City is always flourishing with life and color. During the day, Taipei City is vibrant with unique culture, history, and breathtaking sceneries; while at night, Taipei City pulses with an electrifying and mysterious energy. In an effort to stimulate Taipei’s nighttime economic activity, the Taipei City Government seeks to extend business hours to boost consumer spending, thereby transforming Taipei City into a city that never sleeps; such a transformation will greatly benefit its various shopping and catering businesses. As the public has an increasing number of nighttime activities and experiences to choose from, Taipei City has become the primary index for Taiwan’s development of related industries. As a result, the development of the nighttime economy has become a critical highlight and policy in Taipei City’s development of business activities.

During the Lunar New Year from January 17 to 21, 2023, the Taipei City Market Administration Office arranged for the Taipei Flower Market (Building A & B) in Neihu to remain open non-stop for 108 hours, providing all the floral needs of the public during that festive time of the year. Furthermore, the Taipei City Government assisted the Jianguo Holiday Flower Market in hosting the Japanese Peony Exhibition in Taipei. During the Lunar New Year, the extension of business hours enabled the public to enjoy DIY floral activities, design flower arrangements, and attend orchid arrangement courses. These activities provide the public with a convenient and unique shopping experience.

In addition to extending the business hours of flower markets, Taipei City also extended the Taipei City Zoo’s opening hours to 09:00 PM for 8 weeks from July 2022. Such a move not only offered the public an exceptional nighttime zoo experience, but also offered families a chance to experience something refreshing such as weekly themed stage performances, wildlife conservation markets, games, and specialty stores. By enabling a sole location to provide a plethora of experiences throughout the day, each location within Taipei City can establish itself as a business environment with high potential.

Culture: illuminating Taipei’s night through light shows and installation art

As the pandemic gradually wanes, cities have sought to expand their nighttime activities. As for Taipei City, the Taipei City Government organized the 2022 Nuit Blanche Taipei with the theme of “Welcome to the Grand Shilin Theater”; this event transformed Shilin District into an urban stage, and presented guests with an exclusive art experience that connected night and day.

The event offered the public a chance to see art in Taipei City at 4 exhibition areas and 3 experience modes, illuminating Taipei City’s night sky in the post-pandemic era. The 4 exhibition areas include Taipei Performing Arts Center, Shilin Night Market, Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence, and Taipei Science and Art Park; where visitors could experience art via on-site experience, home-based online experience, or hybrid on-site/online experience.

According to the statistics provided by the Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs on October 2, 2022, the 2022 Nuit Blanche Taipei attracted 460,000 visitors, while its website garnered up to 1.47 million views, resulting in Shilin becoming an open art exhibit that never sleeps.

On the other hand, the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taipei was seen as a major economic boost for Taipei’s nighttime economy in 2023. From February 5 to 19, 2023, the Taipei City Government hosted the “2023 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taipei: Light up the Future”. After 23 long years, the Taiwan Lantern Festival was once again held in Taipei City, turning the city’s night sky into a visual feast of light and sound. Over 12 million visitors visited the Taiwan Lantern Festival, generating an economic output of approximately NTD21 billion. The event not only attracted visitors from Taiwan and abroad, but also enabled local stores to offer various promotions, catapulting Taipei City into the international spotlight.

In order to successfully host an “urban lantern festival” within the densely-populated Taipei City itself, the Taipei Lantern Festival planned 4 display zones, 1 main lantern, and 6 secondary lanterns. In addition, the Taipei MRT was also incorporated with the lantern displays, thereby expanding the entire festival to 168 hectares and including over 300 magnificent lanterns. There were even special lantern areas that connected all 12 administrative districts, which combined every single lantern display with that of Taipei City.

To add to the festivities, the Taipei City Government used the TaipeiPASS App to launch the 2023 Taiwan Lantern Festival E-Stamp Rally, where visitors had a chance to win a fabulous prize after collecting all the e-stamps. To add the cherry on top, the Taipei City Office of Commerce even offered additional bonuses for shopping at designated stores. Visitors had a chance to win prizes such as NTD6,000 in cash, accommodation vouchers for the Regent Taipei, IRIS brand air oven toasters, electric mops, and much more. In total, there were over 500 prizes, with a total worth of over NTD3 million. As a result, visitors were more enthusiastic and inclined to participate in these activities due to the many prizes available.

Travel: creating a nighttime consumer platform by diversifying business districts

The dense population of Taipei City has created a diverse variety of consumer demands, leading to the establishment of multiple entertainment and business districts as well as a thriving service ecosystem. With the intention to develop business districts in the post-pandemic era, the Taipei City Office of Commerce organized 53 business district activities, 17 industry activities, and 22 experience trips in business districts; cumulating to over 90 promotional activities during the latter half of 2022. By working alongside local stores, the Taipei City Government is building Taipei City’s own unique local lifestyle and industry activity. In addition, businesses are encouraged to display their own distinctive services and products during the night in every corner and space of the city. By letting the night draw out the extraordinary essence deep within each business, the public will have an opportunity to experience a nighttime delight like none other.

One example was TAIPEI EASTERN DISTRICT in December 2022, when TAIPEI EASTERN DISTRICT collaborated with the Taipei City Government to organize the “Light Up Taipei: a Merry Eastern District Xmas” event, which saw festive Christmas markets being held at Dinghao Square and Liugong Park. As the public wandered in delight beneath the magical Christmas lights, the public was gifted with an unforgettable and heart-warming Christmas experience.

The Taipei City Office of Commerce plans to organize 90 events in 2023 (including 22 experience trips), with hopes that such diverse activities will boost Taipei City’s business capacity and assist business districts in establishing their own unique brand and competitiveness, and propel it towards achieving diverse sustainability.The Taipei City Market Administration Office has subsidized marketing activities for 9 markets, and planned an expanded marketing event from February 1 to 28. This marketing event was called “The 15 Markets’ Expanded Marketing Event” and included Dazhi Market, Yongchun Market, Chenggong Market, Huashan Market, Dongmen Market, Nanmen Market, Huaxi Street Night Market, Monga Night Market, Wuzhou Street Night Market, Guangzhou Street Night Market, Linjiang Street Night Market, Shilin Night Market, Nanjichang Night Market, Longshan Temple Underground Shopping Bazaar, and Shuangcheng Street Night Market; and was intended to bolster the economy of business districts by encouraging consumer spending.

The Taipei City Government hopes that the development of the nighttime economy will enable night markets, markets, and business districts to evolve beyond being just a place for entertainment, and become a platform for culture, art, and innovative industries. To achieve such a vision, the Taipei City Government will persist in encouraging various businesses to organize night activities, making traditional vendors more diverse and appealing to visitors from Taiwan and abroad.

Entertainment: embracing nature with large music celebrations

Taipei City continues to provide the public with much fun and joy through a multitude of recreational activities. By utilizing quality activities to promote the city’s tourism, Taipei City will not only benefit from an economic boom, but will also entice visitors from all around the world to visit and experience the mysteries and wonders under Taiwan’s night sky. Nighttime entertainment is a key factor in Taipei City’s nighttime economy, with night clubs, bars, and karaoke bars being the most popular choices for the younger generation. Taipei City seeks to build on this and take entertainment to the next level by establishing connections with the natural environment, and has actively promoted nighttime activities of different cultures and forms to expand its audience to include different age groups.

The business districts surrounding MRT stations weren’t the only ones to benefit from the Taipei Floral Festival. The Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism also organized a music event that lasted from March 17 to April 9, 2023 that featured 16 shows, including performers such as rapper Ill Mo, 6yi7, PinkChain, the Hong Kong duo Running Youth, White Eye’s Gao Xiao Gao, and famous actor Chen Chu-Sheng; thereby providing visitors of the Taipei Floral Festival with a visual and auditory delight. Looking to the future, the Taipei City Government plans to organize more nighttime events at live house stages, thus making music one of Taipei City’s latest choices for nighttime entertainment.

In regards to the natural environment, the night skies of Taipei City are filled with fireflies from mid-April to early May. In 2023, multiple offices collaborated to offer a series of firefly-related activities such as guides, global investment, music concerts, green classrooms, and experiences from April 10 to May 1. On April 29, the 2023 “Alice & Fireflies Music Concert” was held at Daan Forest Park, which offered the public a chance to experience beautiful music as well as participate and witness firefly restoration through music.

Aside from music concerts, the Taipei Zoo also hosted various interactive classes, games, and trips into firefly habitats. Activities included different camps that allowed visitors to have a greater understanding of the ecological habits and habitats of fireflies, while also offering them a unique experience that only the night can offer.

As we witness the rise of the nighttime economy, the Taipei City Government continues encouraging innovative businesses to participate and organize nighttime activities. By shaping our business environment into one suited for the nighttime economy, we can offer the public and visitors a chance to experience the charm and magic of Taipei’s nightlife.