Taiwan Offers Unique Travel Opportunities
By Monrovia Weekly
Published: Thursday, May 15th, 2008
Taiwan Tourism Board Sponsors Annual Dinner to Highlight Trends in Tourism
Visitors to Taiwan Now Planning Medical Procedures Overseas – Just What the Doctor Ordered
By Terry Miller
Major Chinese airline CEO’s, travel agents, public relation firms and related businesses attended the annual dinner at The Hilton Hotel in Universal City recently, and to the surprise of many, the trend in tourism isn’t just vacations…its medical.
Whether it’s a face lift, breast augmentation or just a simple/major surgery, Taiwan can probably offer the medical services with significantly less damage to your bank account than a visit to a US hospital.
Guests were treated to unique live music and speeches by various experts in Taiwan tourism and the trends in the industry in addition to a gourmet 9 course meal.
The huge increase in people traveling to Taiwan for something other than a holiday is indicative of tough economic times
In fact, many people are now traveling to Taiwan for much needed medical care they cannot afford here even with medical insurance.
The tourism industry worldwide is arguably facing its toughest year since 2005 with jet fuel prices and oil hitting new highs daily. Perhaps this Health Tourism is just what the doctor ordered, if you’ll pardon the pun. According to the Tourism Bureau, Taiwan holds five main attractions for ethnic Chinese health tourists. First, these tourists are already familiar with Taiwan. Second, these tourists do not face any language barriers. Third, Taiwan’s medical costs are relatively cheaper than those in the United States. Fourth, these tourists have confidence in Taiwan’s medical standards. Finally, these tourists can take the opportunity to visit their relatives in Taiwan.
The Tourism Bureau began promoting the health tourism market in 2005. So far, the results are quite significant. Local travel agencies are currently promoting unique tourism programs to attract overseas Chinese from Los Angeles.
One such program is a cosmetic treatment and beauty package, while another is a preventive health and medical check-up package. Programs such as these two last for four days and three nights and cost often less than $1500. The prices include accommodation and roundtrip, direct flight tickets from Los Angeles to Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan or Taoyuan County in northern Taiwan.
Currently, the Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital is offering medical services and various cosmetic treatments to health tourists. The Chang Gung Memorial Hospital’s Linkou Branch in Taoyuan County also provides comprehensive medical check-ups.
Travel agencies are planning to widen the health tourism market by attracting a wide range of people, rather than only ethnic Chinese. Meanwhile, in order to further promote Taiwan’s health tourism industry, the government is considering whether to make invasive healthcare treatments available to overseas tourists
Other than medical visits, the conventional traveler will find Taiwan offers a wealth of opportunites for all ages.
Taiwan’s total land area is only about 36,000 square kilometers; it is shaped like a tobacco leaf that is narrow at both ends. It lies off the southeastern coast of the mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Strait from Mainland China– a solitary island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. To the north lies Japan; to the south is the Philippines. Many airlines fly to Taiwan, helping make it the perfect travel destination.
Taiwan lies on the western edge of the Pacific “rim of fire,” and continuous tectonic movements have created majestic peaks, rolling hills and plains, basins, coastlines, and other wonders. Taiwan sees climates of many types: tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate, providing clear differentiation between the different seasons. There are about 18,400 species of wildlife on the island, with more than 20% belonging to rare or endangered species; among these are the land-locked salmon, Taiwan mountain goat, Formosan rock monkey, Formosan black bear, blue magpie, Mikado pheasant, Hsuehshan grass lizard, and many more.
There are 7 national parks and 13 national scenic areas to preserve Taiwan’s best natural ecological environment and cultural sites. Take a hike in the splendor and sheer heights of the cliffs at Taroko Gorge; take a ride on the Alishan train–one of only three mountain railways in the world–and experience the breathtaking sunset and sea of clouds; hike up to the summit of Northeast Asia’s highest peak, Jade Mountain. You can also soak up the sun in Kending, Asia’s version of Hawaii; stand at the edge of Sun Moon Lake; traipse through the East Rift Valley; or visit the offshore islands of Kinmen and Penghu. It’s fun in capital letters as well as an awesome journey of natural discovery!
The cultural aspects are also not to be missed. The blending of Hakka, Taiwanese, indigenous people and mainland Chinese cultures has produced a rich plethora of cultural and social color. Whether it is religion, architecture, language, living habits, or food, it’s just one big exciting melting pot! Food is the best representative of this cultural mixing and matching. Aside from cuisines from different parts of the mainland such as Zhejiang, Hunan, Guangdong, Yunnan, Shanghai, Beijing, Sichuan, and others, there is also the local Taiwanese cuisine as well as the local delicacies of each area.
While the political status of Taiwan is a controversial and sensitive issue, from a traveler’s point of view, Taiwan is under the de facto control of a different government from mainland China, and in practice operates as a different country.
For more information on Taiwan visit the website:
http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/lan/Cht/about_taiwan/general.asp?id=1
endit
Leave a Reply
