“Besides enjoying the natural scenery, we also evaluate whether the tourist facilities and promotional approaches in other countries adhere to the spirit of low-carbon use and energy conservation,” he said.
Most of Taiwan’s tourist spots are not sufficiently “low carbon” in their operations, he said.
One of the exceptions is the Maoao Community in Gongliao Township (貢寮), Taipei County, he said.
“Maoao’s appeal lies in its low-profile development. It used to be a thriving fishing town, but it lost its steam with the migration of its young residents. It is re-emerging by developing ecotourism,” Tao said.
Instead of building new tourist facilities, residents have converted old houses into cafes and B&Bs. Eco-friendly farming is widely practiced and locally produced seaweed is made into jellies and health foods, he said.
RSS