A survey conducted by the Tourism Bureau found that an increasing percentage of international visitors are interested in non-traditional tourist activities.
While shopping and visiting night markets and historical sites remained the top three tourism activities, more survey respondents said they had come to Taiwan for eco-tourism and “adventure” activities last year, with the ratio rising from 14.3 percent in 2007 to 29.7 percent last year. The category came in fourth among tourist activities both years.
Twenty-three percent of respondents said they had visited hot springs during their trip, up from 13.8 percent in 2007, while 15.5 percent had gotten massages, up 3.6 percentage points.
THEME PARKS
In 2007, about 5 percent of respondents said they had visited theme parks, but that figure jumped to about 13 percent of foreign tourists last year.
The survey also found that a greater percentage of visitors came for traditional festivities, shooting wedding photos or medical tourism.
Survey responses were collected throughout last year at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Kaohsiung International Airport, with 5,506 valid samples.
CUISINE
Sampling Taiwanese cuisine was cited by Japanese tourists as the main reason for visiting Taiwan, whereas Chinese tourists cited well-known scenic spots and a desire to experience Taiwanese culture.
Night markets ranked first among common tourist destinations, followed by Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum and National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall.
But when asked about their favorite scenic spots, respondents cited Taroko Gorge and the village of Tiansiang (天祥) in the gorge, followed by Kenting National Park, Alishan (阿里山), Jiufen (九份) and Sun Moon Lake.
The survey also found that foreign tourists spent an average of US$211 per day. Tourism revenues topped US$5.9 billion last year, up 13.8 percent over 2007.
Last year, accommodations accounted for 44 percent of spending by tourists, the bureau said. Shopping comprised another 27 percent of spending.
Snacks, clothes and fashion accessories were among their favorite things to buy in Taiwan.
Fifty-two percent of survey respondents said they had seen promotional ads and media coverage on travel in Taiwan.
Travel information found online was cited as a main source of information.
Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they were satisfied with their visit to Taiwan, with most saying they were impressed by the friendliness of Taiwanese, the country’s low crime rate and the safety of accommodations and recreational facilities.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
UNILATERAL MOVES: Officials have raised concerns that Beijing could try to exert economic control over Kinmen in a key development plan next year The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) yesterday said that China has so far failed to provide any information about a new airport expected to open next year that is less than 10km from a Taiwanese airport, raising flight safety concerns. Xiamen Xiangan International Airport is only about 3km at its closest point from the islands in Kinmen County — the scene of on-off fighting during the Cold War — and construction work can be seen and heard clearly from the Taiwan side. In a written statement sent to Reuters, the CAA said that airports close to each other need detailed advanced
UNKNOWN TRAJECTORY: The storm could move in four possible directions, with the fourth option considered the most threatening to Taiwan, meteorologist Lin De-en said A soon-to-be-formed tropical storm east of the Philippines could begin affecting Taiwan on Wednesday next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The storm, to be named Fung-wong (鳳凰), is forecast to approach Taiwan on Tuesday next week and could begin affecting the weather in Taiwan on Wednesday, CWA forecaster Huang En-hung (黃恩鴻) said, adding that its impact might be amplified by the combined effect with the northeast monsoon. As of 2pm yesterday, the system’s center was 2,800km southeast of Oluanbi (鵝鑾鼻). It was moving northwest at 18kph. Meteorologist Lin De-en (林得恩) on Facebook yesterday wrote that the would-be storm is surrounded by
RSS