For all that mainland tourists share our language and ethnicity, long years of separation have led to differences in culture and lifestyle that can take some getting used to.
Taiwan Panorama therefore decided to look at how Taiwan and mainland China were handling this new wave of tourism. On the mainland side, the government instituted a screening process for tourists intending to visit Taiwan, while Taiwan launched bilateral currency exchange services. Meanwhile, in Taiwan Daxi Township launched an imaginative campaign to market its cultural connections to presidents Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, Alishan’s forest railway fired up its engines, and still other popular tourist destinations developed new products in partnership with other businesses, such as the “Imperial Treasures Feast” meals created by the National Palace Museum and the Regent Taipei.
While mainland tourism has had a positive economic impact on Taiwan, it has been even more important for its promotion of mutual understanding and friendly relations.
With the benefit of several years of experience, mainland tourism has provided us with an opportunity to reexamine how we manage Taiwan and develop our soft power. While Taiwan can’t compare to the mainland in terms of scenic grandeur, we have a unique social landscape and laidback culture that takes time to understand and appreciate.
No matter their numbers, the tourists who visit Taiwan invariably appreciate our warmth and hospitality. We welcome mainland tourists to Taiwan and hope they take the time to soak it all in.
In 2008, the ROC government began permitting mainland Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan, turning the National Palace Museum, Alishan, and old-fashioned townships into must-see destinations.
In 2008, the ROC government began permitting mainland Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan, turning the National Palace Museum, Alishan, and old-fashioned townships into must-see destinations.
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