Taipei hosts APEC Tourism Working Group

Taipei City is hosting the 40th meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum’s Tourism Working Group April 25 and 26 in the northern district of Beitou, the Tourism Bureau said April 25.

Representatives of 18 APEC member economies and six observers—Colombia, Macau, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, World Travel and Tourism Council, APEC International Center for Sustainable Tourism, and TRC Tourism—are taking part in the gathering, according to the bureau.

Participants will discuss visions for future APEC regional tourism cooperation, while Taiwan aims to present its 10-year tourism development achievements.

The meeting’s four main themes are “growth, sustainability, progress and sharing.” Those attending will review progress on strategies drawn up at previous meetings, while representatives of four member economies will share their successful experience in promoting tourism as an engine of growth.

For its part, Taiwan will introduce its achievements in green tourism, a strategy put forward by ROC Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo at APEC’s Sixth Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Nara, Japan, in September 2010.

Following this year’s conference, the Tourism Bureau will take participants on a tour of attractions in the eastern county of Yilan, including Xueshan Tunnel, the longest in Taiwan; Lanyang Museum, whose exterior geometric design mirrors and blends with Yilan’s landscape; and the Kavalan whiskey distillery, named a World Icon of Whiskey in 2011 by Whiskey Magazine.

The bureau’s excursion will highlight leisure travel on the island under its “Time for Taiwan” slogan, with the hope of attracting more tourists from APEC member economies.

Source - taiwantoday.tw