Domestic Fare

This article was written by Jim Hwang and published by the Taiwan Review on November 1, 2005. It reports that in addition to Taiwan's natural beauty, the island's other festivals and cultural celebrations are increasingly drawing more domestic and international tourists. In particular, both local and central government agencies are promoting domestic tourism as a way to sustain economic development.

The article features many famous festivals and cultural celebrations in Taiwan, the first of which is the Ilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival held annually in northern Taiwan's Ilan County. First launched in 1996, the festival features performing groups from more than 20 countries and attracts between 500,000 and 900,000 visitors every year. It brings a huge benefit to the people of Ilan County through tourist spending.

Other unique festivals and special events in Taiwan include the Matsu International Festival in central Taiwan's Taichung County, the Flower Exposition in west-central Taiwan's Hsinchu County and Changhua County, and the Woodcarving Festival in Sanyi Township in west-central Taiwan's Miaoli County.

The Bluefin Tuna Cultural Festival, established in 2001, is a new event that has transformed southern Taiwan's Pingtung County into a booming tourism destination. The county further launched the Peninsula Arts Festival in southern Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula in recent years to feature artists and their works from all over the world.

One event that has been struggling to survive is the Wind Chime Festival, also in southern Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula, because local residents sometimes find the sound of the wind chimes annoying. In sharp contrast, the Ilan Green Exposition, again in northern Taiwan's Ilan County and featuring local flora and agricultural products, has been a success with strong local support.

As a matter of fact, the Ilan Green Exposition, the International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival and the Bluefin Tuna Cultural Festival are the three most profitable festivals in Taiwan.

Statistics show that in 2004, there was a respectable 6.8 percent growth in domestic tourism revenue. Also in 2004 the Taiwanese made more than 131 million domestic trips, while the island had about 2.9 million overseas visitors. It is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of these overseas visitors were tourists.