The new and improved Taiwan Tourism

Tourism in Taiwan has seen an interesting few months with a 5 per cent increase in visitor numbers since last year.

The increase in numbers can be attributed to recent changes in policy relating to Chinese visitors.

Since the end of the Civil War in 1949, Chinese tourists have been unable to enter Taiwan. Policy changes in the last few years has meant that tourism to the island has gradually opened up to the Chinese market, a huge step for relations between Taiwan and Mainland China.

The Free Independent Traveler program, opened only months ago, allows for the first time individual Chinese Tourists to enter without being part of a group.

The change has already generated more than NT$200 billion (US$6.94 billion) in foreign exchange reserves for Taiwan over the past few years, according to Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau.

Chinese tourists are unique compared to tourists from Western countries in their travel habits. Whereas Westerners generally prefer tours and sightseeing when they travel, Chinese tourists spend around 60 per cent of their budgets on shopping, particularly for souvenirs.

‘Pineapple cakes and tea are among the most popular items,’ said Bureau official Tsai Ming-ling.

The Free Independent Traveler program has seen a boost in Taiwan’s tourism industry, with an estimated total investment of NT$97.8 billion. Around 47 new hotels are to be completed within the next four years.

The industry has also invested in a new tourism campaign entitled ‘Time for Taiwan – my Beautiful Island’, including a promotional video released internationally. The focus of the promotion is on stories from every day life, with a focus on the sights, sounds and people of Taiwan.

‘We believe this is the best way to show the strength of Taiwan’s tourism – the hospitality of its people,’ said Bureau General Director Janice She-jen Lai.