In the News

A sterling year for travel

• Publication Date：01/21/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today

Taiwan’s tourism industry had a sterling year in 2010. Arrival numbers soared and the country was regularly touted by travel experts around the world as one of Asia’s best-kept secrets.

This healthy state of affairs is confirmed by the latest statistics from the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. Inbound tourist figures leapt nearly 27 percent last year—a result all the more impressive considering the U.N. World Tourism Organization forecast an increase in global and Asian rates by 7 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

There is no mystery surrounding the cause of such improvement. Warming cross-strait relations brought about by pragmatic ROC government policies have seen mainland Chinese tourist numbers explode, rising 67.75 percent. And this figure looks set to surge even higher now that Taipei and Beijing operate reciprocal tourism offices.

Equally encouraging is the fact that arrivals from Japan jumped 7.94 percent. This development can be credited in part to a Tourism Bureau campaign focusing on raising knowledge of Taiwan’s food culture, and the commencement of direct flights between Taipei Songshan Airport and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in October.

But Taiwan’s tourism arrival highlights for last year were not limited to mainland China and Japan. Australia and New Zealand, Europe, Hong Kong and Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea all recorded handsome increases in their numbers.

The local tourism industry’s prospects look even rosier in the days ahead. Taiwan is set for a deluge of international visitors during the ROC centennial celebrations, and is also set to reap the benefits of the Taipei International Flora Expo and upcoming Taipei Lantern Festival—key events in spreading the nation’s charms worldwide.

With more people now aware of Taiwan than 12 months ago, the country’s niche tourism sectors stand ready to capitalize on this significant gain in exposure. Environmental, biking, medical, temple and even military travel centered on the former island fortresses of Kinmen and Matsu all hold great promise for future development.

Tourism’s role in creating prosperity has long been acknowledged, justifying its selection by the government as one of six emerging industries targeted for support. This vote of confidence has also seen a number of niche sectors, including gourmet travel, and the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition industry, listed among 10 key service industries identified for development.

As Taiwan continues to emerge as a top-flight travel destination, ongoing efforts aimed at promoting the nation’s diverse array of attractions will guarantee a place at the head table in the global tourism stakes. There is no question that the future looks bright for this land of many wonders that is finally punching above its weight in the fight to attract international travelers.

Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mail.gio.gov.tw