The Tourism Bureau's plan to make the high speed rail a selling point was met with nonchalance by the Taiwan High Speed Rail Co (THSRC), as the company has asked the bureau to pay NT$1 million (US$31,250) a year for promotional signboards featuring the nation's railway tours to be placed within the high speed rail stations.
Turning to the TRA
Tourism Bureau Director-General Janice Lai (
"It [the THSRC] is not tourist-friendly enough," Lai said, adding that the bureau's marketing strategy for the moment for the high speed rail was to focus on pre-arranged group tours rather than tours for individuals.
Lai made the remarks after briefing legislators serving on the legislature's Transportation Committee yesterday.
Japanese tourists
It was believed that the launch of the high speed train in January would attract many Japanese tourists who would come to ride on what they perceive as Taiwan's Shinkansen system.
To encourage more Japanese tourists to visit, the bureau has planned to invite 300 Japanese tourism representatives to join a free high speed rail tour of the nation, where the itinerary will be arranged by a local travel agency.
The bureau said that domestic airlines have also agreed to provide free flights for all the tour's participants.
Meanwhile, the bureau was hoping it could place promotional signboards -- each 4m2 -- in high speed rail stations.
While the THSRC said that it would charge the Tourism Bureau NT$1 million for the advertising arrangement, the TRA only charges the bureau NT$600 a year for signboards of the same size.
Not eager
Lai also said the bureau was not eager to promote the individual high speed rail tours. Most of the high speed rail stations are located in the suburbs, requiring shuttle bus services to carry travelers from the high speed rail stations to their next destination.
She said that the TRA system appears to be a more viable transportation option for travelers on self-arranged tours.
Inadequate shuttles
The inadequate shuttle bus system around the high speed rail stations also became the target of criticism in the question and answer session in the legislature yesterday.
Legislators from central and southern counties have also complained that the high speed rail had caused domestic airline companies to reduce the number of daily flights.
Since the shuttle buses do not run as frequently as they should, travellers often have to ask family members to pick them up at the high speed rail stations, the legislators said.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Tsai Duei (蔡堆) replied that the average occupancy rate of each shuttle bus was low, so it was difficult for the bus operators to expand the route system.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS