The Yilan, Hualien and Taitung county governments have been actively developing the country’s convention and exhibition industry in recent years. Since Yilan has hot spring resources, Yilan hotel operators and the Yilan county government have linked hands to build a high-quality environment that will draw convention and exhibition business opportunities from Taipei.
In Hualien last month, a symposium entitled “Hualien Forum to Drive Economic Development,” was held by the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER) on commission by the Taikai Group, and it was attended by representatives from industry, the government, academia, and research and development groups. They discussed plans on future convention and exhibition development that will suit Hualien. The Taitung county government has focused on “Sports Tourism,” so it is hosting the International Hot Air Balloon Festival and the International Surfing Contest. Meanwhile, the MEET TAIWAN project has been gradually enhancing Taiwan’s reputation in the international convention and exhibition industry. Every county and city government is utilizing its recreational and tourism resources and designing the relevant software and hardware to win business opportunities for international conventions and exhibitions.
The Hualien Forum to Drive Economic Development
The Taikai Group commissioned TIER to conduct a study on how to develop Hualien-based forums and create theme-based convention and exhibition activities by coordinating key local industries. Since Hualien has a significant aboriginal population with an Austronesian culture and beautiful mountain and seaside scenery, it plans to establish an international organization for Austronesian culture. Last month, the “Hualien Forum to Drive Economic Development” invited representatives from industry, the government, academia, and various research and development groups to exchange views and opinions. They included Hualien county magistrate Fu Kun-chi, Deputy Minister of Council for Economic Planning and Development Hwang Wang-hsiang, Chairperson of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research David Hong, Director of the Bureau of Foreign Trade Chiang Hui-fang, Section Chief of Tourism Bureau Cheng Chi-hung, Secretary General of the Taiwan Convention and Exhibition Association Thomas Tsou, and the Mayor of Ji-an Township Hwang Xing. According to TIER’s research report, Hualien has five particularly strong industries: high-end agriculture, ocean biotechnology, cultural creativity, tourism and travel, and medical care and health care. Important investment projects in the future will promote the development of industrial clusters, such as a contemporary community in newly designed Fujian-style tulou, diverse arts communities, and a Hualien International Forum Center.
Convenient Taipei-Yilan Transport Presents Great Developmental Potential
This year, the MEET TAIWAN project organized an international media delegation to experience tourist spots in Yilan that have great developmental potential. The international media were positively impressed with the Yilan hotels, local tourist farms, and theme restaurants that they visited. In addition, the opening of the Hsuehshan Tunnel has brought many business groups that “do business in Taipei and relax in Yilan.” Site inspection and relevant resources provided by the Yilan county government can provide further support for convention organizers and potential buyers.
Taitung Develops “Sports Tourism”
Last year’s first “International Hot Air Balloon Festival” in Taitung generated overwhelmingly positive responses. This year, to increase international exchange opportunities and heighten Taiwan’s profile, the Taitung County government sent staff to the US for special training and invited international professionals to join the festival. In the future Taitung will continue to host large-scale events, design tour destination products, and promote itself as a city for conventions and exhibitions.
