Taiwan’s growing tourism industry seeks investment partners

In recent years, the number of international visitors to Taiwan has soared. In the period from January to June this year, a total of 472,425 visitors from China came to Taiwan, a number that has grown by about 260 percent from the same period a year ago.

Taiwan has budgeted US$916 million for investment between 2009 and 2012 to help build the island into a key tourist destination. The island, with a tourism market worth US$11.7 billion in 2008, has many distinct attractions that will continue to draw visitors. Culturally, the National Palace Museum houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Chinese Art. The island also has numerous annual cultural festivals that are unique to the various ethnic groups and folk art traditions found on the island.

Lovers of the outdoors can enjoy Taiwan’s excellent hiking, cycling, surfing, scuba diving, and whale watching opportunities. Natural beauty abounds at Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan, Alishan and Jade Mountain in the south and breathtaking Taroko Gorge on the east coast.

Moreover, Taiwan is shaping up as a key medical tourism destination as well. The Zion Health Club (Guangzhou, China) with about 600,000 members signed an agreement in March with 13 medical centers and hospitals in Taiwan to organize groups from China for medical care, spa treatment and sightseeing. Taiwan offers world-class medical services at a fraction of the cost of Western countries

Taiwan is also deregulating the gaming industry on its offshore islands and has already attracted investment from AMZ Holdings Plc, a property-development group listed on the London AIM market. AMZ purchased 27 acres of waterfront property on Penghu islands located between China and Taiwan. The site is the largest private plot in the island group, and it has been zoned and approved for an international tourist hotel. Penghu is seeking to attract other major international operators for ongoing tourism projects

The island’s tourist industry will also grow as further transportation links with China are built, elevating its status as an important business and transportation hub for the rest of the world. As economic collaboration between China and Taiwan continues to strengthen, it will bring new opportunities for potential investments. Interested investors are cordially invited to join the 2009 Taiwan Business Alliance Conference to get more details and build key ties in the industry.

Hosted by Mr. David W.J. Hsieh, deputy director-general of the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), business executives in related domestic and foreign industries will speak about the partnership opportunities offered by Taiwan’s vibrant tourism and recreation industry. The 2009 Taiwan Business Alliance Conference, organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), will bring together government officials, industry professionals and venture capitalists to build partnerships and expand business on the island.

This sixth annual Conference is scheduled for October 7th, 2009 in Room 101 of the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC).

To register, please contact:
Taiwan Trade Center, San Francisco/TAITRA
5201 Great America Parkway, Suite 306
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-988-5018 ext.203, Fax: 408-988-5029
Email: office@taiwantradesf.orgWeb site: http://sf.taiwantrade.com.tw