During the first five months of this year, 3.24 million tourists entered Taiwan, while more than 6.7 million people traveled abroad from Taiwan, Tourism Administration data showed. Departures were more than double that of arrivals, the highest travel deficit in Taiwan’s history. It seems increasingly unlikely that the nation would reach its goal of 10 million visitors this year.
Intense earthquakes have been frequent and concentrated this year. More than 50 earthquakes greater than magnitude 5 have struck Taiwan this year, with 10 of them surpassing magnitude 6, which further perpetuates the stereotype that Taiwan is an “earthquake island.”
Immediately following a magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Yilan County on Aug. 15, Reuters streamed on Facebook a video showing Taipei 101 and surrounding buildings that went on for more than three hours.
That international visitors have been scared away by earthquakes is understandable. For example, in the month following the March 2011 earthquake that led to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant disaster, tourism to Japan plummeted 60 percent, a record decline in tourism.
However, that disaster had only a limited effect on major cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka, and the most popular international tourist destinations remained safe and secure. Likewise, the earthquakes in eastern Taiwan also have not affected the safety of most major tourist destinations.
None of the 10 most-visited travel destinations touted by the Tourist Administration are in earthquake zones. Foreign tourists have been misled by a swath of earthquake news, which has accumulated to form a shadow of fear that engulfs Taiwan’s tourism industry.
In reality, the financial data shows that international travelers have no reason to fear earthquakes in Taiwan. A National Credit Card Center analysis from the first half of last year showed that more than 50 percent of purchases by foreign credit card holders was in Taipei, 12 percent in Taoyuan and almost 10 percent in New Taipei City.
The three municipalities alone accounted for more than 70 percent of tourist spending. The six major municipalities together accounted for more than 90 percent of spending, while the eastern counties of Yilan and Hualien, which have recently experienced frequent earthquakes, accounted for less than 10 percent of total credit card purchases.
That Taiwan’s daily economic activities are carrying on as usual is further proof the nation is safe. Earlier this month, South Korean pop idol group Super Junior performed three concerts at Taipei Arena. The members of the group arrived in Taiwan early and felt the magnitude 5.7 and 6.3 earthquakes on Aug 15 and 16 respectively. It was a rare experience for them, and yet their performances were unaffected. The concerts still attracted more than 25,000 enthusiastic fans.
While investing enormous sums to restore travel in areas affected by earthquakes, the Tourism Administration must also make their best effort to promote other parts of Taiwan. It should be made clear that the vast majority of tourist destinations are completely safe. It is particularly important to emphasize that recreational activities in major metropolitan areas continue normally.
To save the lifeblood of tourism in Taiwan, we cannot allow unnecessary earthquake panic to spread perpetually. Rather, the top priority should be to strengthen travelers’ sense of security. Only then would tourists from all over feel at ease and be willing to set foot on Taiwanese soil.
Chen Yung-chang is a freelance writer based in Taipei.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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