Taiwan’s recent presidential election saw the nationalist Kuomintang leader Ma Ying-jeou take control of the island. His win could have wider implications for the meetings and incentives industries.
Ma used the promise of an economic revival as the centrepiece of his campaign and he wants to act quickly, introducing direct flights to the mainland as early as July and easing restrictions on Chinese investment. It would potentially bolster Taiwan’s flagging business tourism industry and
generate revenues immediately, if Beijing agrees to large-scale outflows of tourists.
Direct air connections would cut flight times from Taiwan to the mainland from four hours to as little as 90 minutes, and will mean corporate groups on their way to Taiwan will no longer need to transit in Hong Kong.
Travelling to and from the mainland can take as long as a trip to Indonesia, Ma recently told local media, adding: “This is really very, very stupid”.
Taiwan’s tourism bureau and Beijing are also discussing sending 100 Chinese tour guides to Taiwan ahead of direct flights to ensure the destination is up to speed for the expected influx of mainland visitors.
According to Ma’s plan, one million Chinese would visit Taiwan each year, generating US$1 billion in revenues.
Industry sources also predict direct air links could start another hotel building boom, which the city is in need of since highend luxury hotel options are limited for corporate groups.
NEW VENUE
Taipei’s position as a convention and exhibition destination has further improved after the new Taipei World Trade Centre Nangang Exhibition Hall (TWTC Nangang) opened its doors in March. Coupled with Taipei World Trade Centre (TWTC), the city will now offer 4,659 booths – enough to cater to demand for sometime.
The new venue is a 15-minute drive from the TWTC along the Huangdong Expressway. However, access to Nangang is still difficult since the extension of Taipei’s MRT metro line is still under development.
In the meantime, the venue is offering a free shuttle bus service to selected hotels.
Hotels next to the exhibition centre are also yet to be built.
MOVING FORWARD
With a new president talking of change and a new exhibition centre, Taiwan is looking to the future. By Kate Nicholson
