For most travelers from the U.S.,
Taiwan
remains primarily a business destination, but this doesn't mean leisure
activities are out of the question. Because Taiwan is a long-haul destination,
business travelers—especially those accompanied by their families—might be
seeking a day or two of relaxation before they return home.
"Taiwan
is definitely looking to educate U.S.
agents," says Janice She-jen Lai, director general of the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of
Transportation and Communications, Taiwan.
"We're losing some of our business travelers to
mainland China,
so we want to make up the difference with increasing leisure visits." In
2006, arrivals to Taiwan
increased by seven percent for a total of 3.5 million. U.S. visitors
accounted for 43,000 of this figure.
New Airlift; High-Speed Rail; Top Hotels
This past month, United Airlines inaugurated a daily flight
from San Francisco to Taipei. The Taipei-San Francisco route will
be served by Boeing 777s. United originally launched the Taipei-San Francisco
route in 1987 but suspended service in 2003 because of the outbreak of SARS in
east Asia. The carrier decided to resume the route after assessment confirmed
market demand.
In the year to come, Taiwan's Tourism Bureau will focus its
promotional efforts on getting the message out about the country's natural beauty;
special-interest travel to Taiwan, with an emphasis on eco-tourism and the
country's hot springs; and cities along the high-speed train route.
Capable of traveling at speeds of up to 180 miles an hour,
the Taiwan High Speed Rail runs 208 miles north to south along the western
corridor of the country. Another plus to train travel is the convenience of
centrally located rail stations, as opposed to airports that are some distance
from both cities. It isn't necessary to purchase tickets in advance, announcements
are in English, and there is ample room for luggage in racks above the seats.
Major hotels in Taipei
include the Sheraton Taipei Hotel (886-2-2321-5511,
[email protected]) and the Grand Hyatt Taipei (886-2-2720-1234,
[email protected]). In Kaohsiung,
the standout hotel is The Splendor Kaohsiung (0809-085-085).
Family-Friendly Attractions
Taipei
is a bustling city, which by itself is an attraction. Even so, there are
several sites perfect for families with children.
Taiwan
Storyland in Taipei
offers exhibits of pre-World War II Taiwan, recreating a barbershop, pharmacy,
and classroom. There are also low-tech games of chance and skill as well as a
number of restaurants.
The TaipeiNational Palace Museum houses the
largest collection of Chinese artifacts and artwork in the world. Kids will
enjoy the intricate carvings, as well as the museums signature piece, a
delicately carved jade cabbage. Avoid going on a Saturday, when crowds fill the
exhibit halls.
The whole family will enjoy a trip up to the observation
deck of the 101-story Taipei
101 for a birds-eye view of the city. The elevators, which travel at 37.5
mph, are the fastest in the world.
If your clients have some flexibility in their dates of
travel, they may choose to travel during a major festival for added value. The Taiwan Lantern Festival is held in
March in cities throughout the country. The festival consists of colorful
themed lantern displays and live performances. The annual Yanshuei Fireworks Festival is also held in March, in the southern
town of Yanshuei.
Also called the Beehive Rockets Festival,
this is an event in which participants in motorcycle helmets and padded
clothing are bombarded with rockets; definitely not for little kids, but
teenagers would love it.
