The Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications unveiled its nationwide ecotourism campaign April 25 in Taipei City as part of government efforts to promote sustainable tourism development.
Through collaboration with the Taipei City-based Taiwan Ecotourism Association, the bureau selected 20 ecological tours organized by local travel agencies. The project aims to bolster local tourism and attract more interest in Taiwan’s natural environment.
The tours place a spotlight on the natural assets of Taiwan, and include visits to butterfly habitats as well as easy hikes down forest trails, in addition to activities such as bird, dolphin, firefly and whale watching.
Some tours provide a glimpse into the daily lives in Taiwan’s indigenous communities and let visitors witness activities unique to these peoples, such as sulfuric fire fishing. This traditional form of fishing takes place at night, with fishermen coating the end of a pole with sulfur that attracts fish when set alight.
MOTC Minister Hochen Tan said that through the promotion of ecotourism, visitors will be better informed as to the diverse beauty of Taiwan’s natural environment.
An official from the Tourism Bureau noted that more efforts will be directed toward collaborating with travel agencies and helping local residents become professional ecotour guides. To minimize pollution to the environment caused by the tours, groups are recommended to be limited to 20 people, the official said.
Taiwan is home to an extensive variety of flora and fauna. Nearly 450 species of birds reside or migrate through the country, and around 400 kinds of butterflies, including 50 endemic species, can be found on Taiwan’s main island and in its offshore counties. (CPY-E)
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