Taiwan Announces International Youth Travel Year

To promote Taiwan as a new destination for international youth and student travelers, the country’s National Youth Commission has proclaimed 2006 as the Taiwan International Youth Travel Year.

To celebrate Youth Travel Year, the National Youth Commission will introduce new incentive programs, including discounts, travel cards and work opportunities, to encourage young overseas travelers to visit Taiwan.

There will be eight main themes to Youth Travel Year:

Working holidays
Taiwanese cuisine
Youth guesthouse network
Living in an aboriginal village
Natural wonders
Learning Chinese
Traditional festivals (like the Matsu Pilgrimage)
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. To accomplish this, in addition to the Youth Travel Year the government plans to create a user-friendly youth travel environment in public transportation, accommodations and services. For example, Taiwan Railway and Taipei MRT will provide specific space for bikes and backpacks. The National Youth 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. Additionally, the government plans 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.

For more information about the International Youth Travel Year go to the “Taiwan Trekking for Young Travelers” site at www.youthtravel.net.tw This site has been specially designed for young people. Sections on destinations, events, transportation, accommodation, a survival guide, work and study, travel blogs and community message boards are on the site. For more information about Taiwan’s attractions, call the Taiwan Tourism Bureau at 212-867-1632 or log onto www.taiwan.net.tw or www.go2taiwan.net

November 22, 2005   Posted in: Taiwan