New Attractions

As introduced by the Taiwan Yearbook 2006:

The government has formulated the Challenge 2008 National Development Plan as the latest effort to foster the creativity and talent Taiwan needs to transform itself into a "green silicon island." In 2002, the Executive Yuan upgraded the Tourism Development and Promotion Committee to facilitate the implementation. Part of this plan envisions doubling the number of foreign tourists to over five million within the next five years. To reach this goal, the tourist industry will focus on "client-orientation" and "target management," thus providing indicators to review and evaluate the progress and achievements of the plan. The options to accomplish this include expanding existing travel packages, developing new travel packages, developing new scenic areas, creating a tourist service network, increasing international marketing, and enhancing MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) in Taiwan.

To keep tourism growing and provide a wider range of recreational choices, the Tourism Bureau has been promoting a large number of new attractions and activities by publishing various brochures, mostly in Chinese, English, and Japanese. These brochures are not only for general tourists, but also for business travelers who might have spare time during their stay in Taiwan. A CD entitled "Taiwan" has also been published. In response to the proclamation of 2002 as International Eco-Tourism Year by the United Nations, the Executive Yuan proclaimed 2002 as Taiwan Eco-Tourism Year, encouraging local and international tourists to get a better understanding of Taiwan's natural environment.

Among the Tourism Bureau's newest initiatives is a joint effort amongst the tourism promotion units of the Keelung City, Taipei County, and Yilan County governments to package and market the tourism resources of Taiwan's greater Northeast Coast area. These resources include Keelung's night scenery and ancient fortresses, the gold-mining history of Jioufen and Jinguashih, the rural scenery of Pingsi and Shuangsi, the bays and capes of the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area, the hot-spring baths of Jiaosi, and Yilan's sculpted riverside park on the Dongshan River.

To integrate the tourism resources of the southern part of the island, the Tourism Bureau -- together with the governments of seven cities and counties (Kaohsiung City and County, Pingtung County, Tainan City and County, and Chiayi City and County) -- called together private tourism associations and operators to work out tourism promotion programs for southern Taiwan. A decision was made to have the Kaohsiung City's Economic Affairs Bureau and the Kaohsiung Tourism Association take charge of integrating the tourist sites of the different cities and counties, carry out the planning of unique tourism resources, and package and promote those resources with the aim of featuring the local characteristics of the tourism industry in southern Taiwan. A number of itineraries for touring southern Taiwan have already been introduced for tourists to choose from.

Among the bureau's other responsibilities are the development and management of national scenic areas and the construction of parking lots, pavilions, beach facilities, hiking trails, toilets, marinas, food and beverage outlets, visitor centers, and display halls. Once the infrastructure has been completed, the private sector is then encouraged to invest in hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities in the national scenic areas.

There are currently 11 national scenic areas in Taiwan: the Northeast Coast; the North Coast and Guanyinshan (or Guanyin Mountain); the East Coast; Penghu; Tapeng Bay in southwestern Taiwan; the East Rift Valley (which runs between Hualien and Taitung in eastern Taiwan); Matsu; Sun Moon Lake; the Tri-Mountain area; Alishan (or Mount Ali); and Maolin. The North Coast and Guanyinshan national scenic area was established in October 2002. It covers the scenic areas of Yeliou, Taiwan's north coast, and Guanyinshan.

The fortress island of Kinmen (Quemoy), situated less than two kilometers (at low tide) off the coast of China, was opened to tourism in 1992. Kinmen was the focus of fierce attacks by PRC forces in 1949 and artillery battles in the late 1950s, the failure of which discouraged China from attempting to invade Taiwan. In addition to its historical significance, Kinmen is also a fascinating repository of traditional Chinese architecture and culture. Granite "wind lion" statues and remarkably preserved houses built in the old Fuchienese style attract many visitors, while the island's renowned pottery and gao liang -- a fiery sorghum liquor-make popular souvenirs. The Kinmen National Park, established in 1995, as both a war memorial and a nature reserve, is Taiwan's newest national park.

Yamay Resort, Taiwan's largest theme park at 198 hectares, began operations in July 2000 with the opening of a water amusement park. An additional section was opened in May 2002. Completion of the third and final stage of the Disneyland-type park with an Oriental flavor is set for 2006. Hualien Ocean Park, opened in 2002, is a unique combination of theme park, scenic park, and resort. As of November 2003, the park had already served one million visitors.

In addition to tourism, a growing number of foreign visitors are coming to Taiwan for international meetings and conventions. The Taipei International Convention Center (TICC), opened in 1991, is one of the best such facilities in the world. The TICC is managed by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, which is also in charge of the adjoining Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall.