In Tokyo last week, I visited one of the city's major temples. During the hour I spent there, dozens of Western tourists -- groups, couples and individuals passed through. This surprised me, because it would be easy to spend a whole day at one of Taipei's major temples without seeing a single Western face.
Likewise, the temples of Kyoto -- many of which charge admission -- receive far more foreign visitors than those in Tainan, where religion is more heartfelt. And in any given year, more Americans, Europeans and Australians will climb Mount Fuji than will reach the top of Taiwan's Yushan -- a peak that is both higher and more beautiful. Granted business people passing through Taipei sometimes take a look at Snake Alley while English teachers stroll local beaches on their days off. But compared to almost any Asian country, very few foreign tourists make it to Taiwan.
Why is this? Taiwan's language barrier is no higher than Japan's (it has to be said, however, that the authorities in Japan do use a standard romanization system, and seem to have signs proofread before putting them up). Japan is perceived to be a safe and orderly society, to be sure, but Taiwan has never acquired a reputation for violence and robbery. In terms of costs, traveling around Taiwan is significantly cheaper than visiting Japan or Hong Kong, and is comparable with mainland China. Malaysia -- a country with far fewer economic resources than Taiwan -- has, through assiduous promotion, turned itself into a major tourist destination. How to promote itself is one of the few things Taiwan can learn from ASEAN nations.
The Tourism Bureau makes an effort through the distribution of leaflets. Unfortunately the leaflets are badly distributed. In addition, Taiwan's scenic and cultural charms need to be promoted in foreign newspapers, magazines or television programs.
It is time authorities here reconsider their approach, because international tourism would bring political benefits as well as economic ones. Increased tourism would translate into more visitors leaving Taiwan with fond memories of the warmth and helpfulness of the people.
Those who have seen for themselves the vitality and prosperity of Taiwan are more likely to sit up and take notice when China next threatens the island.
If Taiwan wants to make more friends among American and European voters, the promotion of inbound tourism should be treated as a priority.
Could Asia be on the verge of a new wave of nuclear proliferation? A look back at the early history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, illuminates some reasons for concern in the Indo-Pacific today. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently described NATO as “the most powerful and successful alliance in history,” but the organization’s early years were not without challenges. At its inception, the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty marked a sea change in American strategic thinking. The United States had been intent on withdrawing from Europe in the years following
My wife and I spent the week in the interior of Taiwan where Shuyuan spent her childhood. In that town there is a street that functions as an open farmer’s market. Walk along that street, as Shuyuan did yesterday, and it is next to impossible to come home empty-handed. Some mangoes that looked vaguely like others we had seen around here ended up on our table. Shuyuan told how she had bought them from a little old farmer woman from the countryside who said the mangoes were from a very old tree she had on her property. The big surprise
The issue of China’s overcapacity has drawn greater global attention recently, with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen urging Beijing to address its excess production in key industries during her visit to China last week. Meanwhile in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week said that Europe must have a tough talk with China on its perceived overcapacity and unfair trade practices. The remarks by Yellen and Von der Leyen come as China’s economy is undergoing a painful transition. Beijing is trying to steer the world’s second-largest economy out of a COVID-19 slump, the property crisis and
As former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrapped up his visit to the People’s Republic of China, he received his share of attention. Certainly, the trip must be seen within the full context of Ma’s life, that is, his eight-year presidency, the Sunflower movement and his failed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, as well as his eight years as Taipei mayor with its posturing, accusations of money laundering, and ups and downs. Through all that, basic questions stand out: “What drives Ma? What is his end game?” Having observed and commented on Ma for decades, it is all ironically reminiscent of former US president Harry