The Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters in Tainan City signed a memorandum of understanding Feb. 19 with Izumi City in Kagoshima, Japan, underscoring bilateral commitment to cooperation on avian preservation and travel industry.
Witnessed by Lin Hsin-jen, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Administration, Director Hsu Chen-neng of the Southwest Coast NSA inked the pact with Mayor Shinichi Shiinoki of Izumi.
In his remarks, Lin said that the pact sets concrete goals for bilateral cooperation, including the introduction of an artificial intelligence identifying system for birds that will facilitate the exchange of related information. Additionally, the Southwest Coast NSA has declared February to be Izumi month going forward, and will hold an avian photography exhibition to expose more visitors to the natural beauty of Izumi.
Hsu indicated that the collaboration echoes the trend of sustainable travel and will advance the tourism industries of both parties. According to the TA, Shiinoki noted that Izumi has had many years of crane conservation experience and he hoped to have more exchange with experts in Taiwan.
Taiwan is a waypoint on many of the routes taken by migratory birds, the TA said, adding that the southwestern coastal areas of Yunlin and Chiayi counties, as well as Tainan City, are ideal places for the birds to rest. Izumi, too, boasts a favorable geography that attracts the largest variety of cranes in Japan, sheltering around 10,000 migratory cranes from October to March. (POC-E)
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