The Taiwan Pavilion at ATM 2008, located at stand AS 520 in Hall 8, will highlight the special connection of nature, culture and technology that Taiwan offers.
Visitors will experience virtually the nature of Taiwan through an interactive multimedia presentation featuring three films produced by award winning Taiwan film director Hou Hsiao-Hsien. Daily shows at the Pavilion will offer visitors healthy Taiwan teas and an opportunity to witness Taiwan’s tea making traditions.
Five Taiwan IT companies, all winners of Taiwan Excellence Awards for superior innovation, quality, and design, will showcase their latest products, including a large touch screen personal navigation device and a waterproof flash drive.
Travel industry professionals interested in establishing a partnership will be able to meet representatives of four travel agencies and one mountain resort from Taiwan. Information on business travel and medical tour will also be available. The Taiwan Pavilion is organised by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and sponsored by the Board of Foreign Trade, the Tourism Bureau, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
As Taiwan is a global leader in IT manufacturing, products from laptops to LCD monitors made by Taiwan based companies are readily seen in offices and homes around the world. A large percentage of visitors to Taiwan come for business, but staying in Taiwan without having seen much besides a hotel, restaurant, and meeting venue misses the other side of Taiwan, the one that distills the best of what Asia offers. No wonder National Geographic Traveler calls Taiwan “a place that may be Asia’s best-kept secret.”
The National Palace Museum in capital city Taipei features arguably the world’s best collection of Chinese art. Local festivals such as the Taiwan Lantern Festival preserve Chinese traditions thousands of years old. In addition, Austronesian aborigines, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, and Han Chinese have successively populated Taiwan. This mix of cultures with different traditions and lifestyles makes modern Taiwan society one of the most colourful in Asia.
World class natural attractions including Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake are all accessible by safe, modern and convenient transport. With some two-thirds of the land covered by mountains, Taiwan has 219 peaks reaching more than 3,000 meters above sea level, including the highest peak in East Asia—Yu Shan (Jade Mountain). Vertical distribution of a variety of flora, ranging from tropical to temperate to frigid, can be clearly distinguished. The diverse natural environment has produced an extensive collection of flora and fauna, making Taiwan a miniature northern hemisphere ecosystem.
Asia’s newest trade show venue, Taipei World Trade Center Nankang Exhibition Hall, just opened in March, with the capacity to host 2,465 standard size (3x3 m) booths and an exhibition space of 45,360 square metres. Its first show, the Taipei International Cycle Show, attracted more than 762 domestic and international exhibitors and 86,000 visitors, up 91 percent from last year's 45,000. International exhibitors increased 24 percent, while international visitors grew 17.8 percent.
According to the Worldwide Health Ranking by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Taiwan ranks second, with healthcare quality comparable to the US and Europe but at one fifth to one sixth of the cost. Visitors may enjoy a uniquely rejuvenating travel option in Taiwan that combines a physical examination with a visit to hot springs.