To promote Taiwan as a new destination for international youth
and student travelers, the country has launched new incentive
programs including discounts, travel cards and work opportunities
to encourage young overseas travelers to visit.
Taiwan’s National Youth Commission is focusing on eight main
themes in 2006: working holidays, Taiwanese cuisine, youth
guesthouse network, living in an aboriginal village, natural
wonders, learning Chinese, traditional festivals and the Ilha
Formosa Music Festival.
Taiwan’s long-term goal is to increase the portion of
international youth and student travelers to 25 percent of the
total number of annual overseas visitors by 2008.
The government also plans to create a user-friendly youth travel
environment in public transportation, accommodations and services
through such changes as Taiwan Railway and Taipei MRT providing
specific space for bikes and backpacks.
The commission plans to work with the country’s airlines to
provide special discounts during off-peak periods and with local
bus companies to offer special reductions for young travelers and
carry-on facilities for bicycles. Plans are also to establish a
budget accommodation system, publish youth travel brochures,
enhance and expand Chinese language and cooking courses and
coordinate short-term work exchange programs.
More information about the International Youth Travel Year is
available at the “Taiwan Trekking for Young Travelers” site at
www.youthtravel.net.tw/.
