Taiwan Travel

Taiwan Travel, Tourism home publications events committees membership living in Taiwan yellow pages advertising -- about us contact Travel and Tourism: 2003 Issues Upgrade Taiwan's tourist industry Promote inbound tourism Link Taiwan to Greater China travel itineraries The ECCT Travel and Tourism Committee addresses issues concerning Taiwan's travel, tourism and hospitality industries and aims to help attract more visitors from Europe and raise the number of annual visitors to the island to six million as outlined in Taiwan's Challenge 2008 plan. While the issues raised in this position paper are focused on the business side on travel and to developing Taiwan's travel infrastructure, the ECCT wishes to point out that drawing more Europeans to Taiwan will help to improve understanding among Europeans of the island's people and their position in the world. The committee is happy to note that some progress has been made on issues raised in last year's position paper. With regards to the issue of immigration facilities at CKS International Airport, the committee welcomes the government's recent announcement to allow ARC holders that are members of the ECCT, and the American and Japanese chambers of commerce, to use the APEC-member immigration line. Although the committee would have preferred the adoption of its proposal to follow the Hong Kong model, where ID cardholders are not required to fill out any paperwork and are allowed to use a separate and speedier entrance and exit, the new measure is expected to significantly speed up immigration time for our members. Furthermore, progress has been made on the issue of female staff working at night. Although the penalty for infringements of Article 49 of the Labor Standard Law (which restricts women from working at night) has been reduced from a jail sentence to a fine, the committee urges the government to abolish this restriction, as it results in unfair discrimination against women, additional contract bargaining, and raises costs and reduces the competitiveness of firms operating in Taiwan. Upgrade Taiwan's tourist industry The Ministry of Transportation and Communications allotted NT$6.5 billion for upgrading the tourist industry. It is unclear how European companies, either as local branches or foreign entities, can apply for these preferential loans on equal terms with their Taiwan counterparts. Recommendation The committee proposes that investment by European companies be allowed and encouraged in all areas and that they have full access to the government funds and that any regulatory barriers to entry and operation of tourism entities are removed. Promote inbound tourism The Tourism Bureau has a larger promotion budget than ever before and this is a positive step in boosting visitors. Recommendations Attract more European visitors with incentives to foreign travelers and overseas and local Taiwanese tour operators. Allocate more of the Tourism Bureau's resources to attracting Europeans to Taiwan, rather than to mature markets where Taiwan is already well known. Japan is getting the lion's share of the promotion budget, with Hong Kong and Singapore taking up most of the remainder. Devoting more planning and funding to promote Taiwan systematically in Europe would reduce Taiwan dependency on a few sensitive sources. Publication of a tourism marketing plan would help European operators understand the government's strategic position and lead towards a quality tourism market. Cooperate with city government efforts to attract international tourists. Provide sufficient signage and information in English. Taipei has started to rectify this problem on bus signs, but not at bus stops. Bus maps and tour information for major cities and nearby areas should be published in foreign languages, and promoted both in and outside Taiwan. We offer our assistance in distributing this information. We also urge city and central governments to apply the Hanyu Pinyin system, which is taught in Europe for translating Chinese into foreign languages, and for use in addresses, on street signs, in government literature and elsewhere. Provide drug, weapon and quarantine information to travelers more discreetly. The lengthy and stern warnings provided during landing preparations give the passengers, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding, a "death penalty" image of Taiwan, as do posters at the international airport. The committee recommends that drug, weapon and quarantine information be provided together with visa application forms or landing cards and at tourist information outlets abroad. Promote specific aspects of Taiwan to Europeans. As a large number of current European visitors are traveling alone and are in Taiwan on business, attractions that would best be promoted to encourage them to extend their stay would include night life, museums, shopping (for IT and other products) and weekend trips to nearby mountains, hot springs, beaches and historic venues as well as to outlying islands. Our committee is ready to assist in supplying expertise from Europe to help develop these segments. Link Taiwan to greater China travel itineraries The committee encourages the promotion of Taiwan as a leading destination in greater China itineraries in support of the government's plan to operate direct flights between both sides of the Taiwan Strait in the near future. Technical preparations should be started soon, as trips between Taiwan and China now generally require combinations of tickets sold only in Taiwan or greater China at unpublished special prices, with a transfer most commonly in Hong Kong or Macau. Making matters even more bothersome, certain "agents" buy tickets outside Taiwan from mainland carriers for local resale, often without proper reservations or support. This raises the cost and complexity of organizing a tour to greater China including a stopover in Taiwan by European and local operators. Recommendation The committee proposes that to stimulate support and investments in the travel industry by European travel companies, efforts be made to regulate and upgrade this travel segment to international industry norms and provide tools to bring more ease and transparency to tour pricing and airline fares for European tourism via Taiwan to greater China. This would be helped by initiating Billing Settlement Plan membership and proper representation of mainland airlines, and by facilitating correct and full display of local and mainland flights and fares with unrestricted Global Distribution and airline reservation systems' access to the Taiwan market. © ECCT

Germany Travel

Wurzburg, Germany - Travel Photos by Galen R Frysinger,Sheboygan, Wisconsin Wrzburg Marienberg Wrzburg , city in southwestern Germany, in Bavaria, on the Main River. It is a railroad junction, an industrial center, and the commercial hub of an agricultural region noted for its vineyards. The leading manufactures of the city include wine and beer, machinery, scientific instruments, paper, pianos, chemicals, and textiles. colorful parish church Among the architectural landmarks in Wrzburg are a Romanesque cathedral, rebuilt after receiving severe damage in World War II (1939-1945), which contains works by the sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider; Neumnster Church, a chiefly Romanesque structure with an 18th-century baroque facade; a 15th-century stone bridge spanning the Main; the Marienberg fortress atop the Leistenberg, which was the episcopal residence from 1261 to 1720, and which now houses a museum with an extensive collection of Riemenschneider's works; the Julius hospital (founded 1576); and the large rococo episcopal and ducal palace (1720-1744). the old bridge (1373 - 1543) The city is the site of a university (1582); the physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X rays in 1895 while he was a professor in Wrzburg. The painter Matthias Grnewald was born and completed much work in the city. Julius hospital (founded 1576) its courtyard Memorial to its benefactors famous for its wine production First used as a fortification by Celts, the city was the site of the martyrdom of Saint Kilian, Christian missionary, in 689. Wrzburg was founded by Christianized Franks, and in 741 it became an episcopal see. In front of the New Residence the statue of the Bishop is looking at his older residence (Marienberg) in the background. the new residence rococo episcopal and ducal palace (1720-1744). as seen from the garden the Bishop's crest in the residence chapel the Baroque pulpit the Baroque ceiling In succeeding centuries the bishops of Wrzburg were prominent also as temporal princes, and they controlled a substantial area. The bishopric was secularized in 1801, assigned to Bavaria in 1803, and transferred to Ferdinand III, the dispossessed grand duke of Tuscany, in 1805. It passed to Bavaria in 1815. During World War II the city sustained extensive damage from air raids, but its historic buildings have been reconstructed. sculpture in the residence garden Population of Wurzburg (1990 estimate) 125,589. Returnto Germany page Returnto Europe page Returnto People and Places

Europe Travel Planning >

Europe Travel Blogs - European Travel Web Logs  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Europe Travel Planning > Travel Blogs Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Europe Travel Blogs - European Blogs Day by day descriptions of travel are possible through blog (web log) software that allows European travelers to write of their experiences almost as they happen from anywhere they are in Europe. Here are some of the best European travel blogs and travel blog lists. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Keeping a Journal While you Travel. Are Temporary Web Logs the Answer? Web Logs or "blogs" are a great way to let your family and friends keep in touch with you while you're on your European vacation. Some even offer storage for your pics and video. Combined with Internet Cafes along the way, you may never need to buy a stamp for a post card again. Blogarama Click on "Travel" to find some interesting travel blogs. Blog Search Engine - Travel Blogs Travel and adventure blogs are found on this page. Ciao Samin Making it in Italy without the subjunctive is the subtitle of this blog; it's from Tuscany. A Fistful of Euros Group blog on Europe and the European economy. 8 more Articles & Resources below More Categories Up a category Free Travel Blogs (3) Articles & Resources more from your guide Gridskipper Lively travel stuff from folks "Scouring the world for discount flights, chic hotelsand pretty people." London Blog Get the inside view from this London blog. Living in Europe - Blogzine Interesting news from all over europe from "a new community blogzine produced by a cooperative of bloggers and writers with a focus on ... Living in Europe." Mad About Madrid Alun John's interesting and fact-filled blog on Madrid. Get tips from an insider on the little places in a big city. Highly recommended for visitors planning a trip to Madrid. Nomadig Nomadig is billed as the safe harbour for the wanderers of the world. Travel from all over the world, including reviews, but especially good on Scandinavia. ro.blog - A diary of Idiotic Rants from Abroad Good stuff from far places. Vote to let ro know where he should go next. Veniceblog Interesting blog from a former resident of Venice, with excellent pictures. Zoomata - Italian Culture from Italy News and commentary from Italy, first person accounts from people who've moved there, travel tips and more. Excelent site in English.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

Russia Travel

Russia Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Russia Russia Hardship wrapped in history inside splendour. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Russia Moscow St Petersburg View Map Click here Feature Attraction The Hermitage Set in the magnificent palace from which the tsars ruled Russia for one-and-a-half centuries, the State Hermitage triumphantly lives up to its reputation ... more Churchill's 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' remains an apt description of Russia; most outsiders have only a hazy idea of its realities. A composite of the extravagant glories of old Russia and the drab legacies of the Soviet era, it's a country that both befuddles and beguiles. This is a land of snow and deadly winters, but also of rivers that meander across meadows and a midsummer sun that never sets. Its people, in the words of a Russian proverb, 'love to suffer', yet they also love to party and can be disarmingly generous and hospitable. Dangerous Territories Travellers are strongly advised against travel to Chechnya, Dagestan and neighbouring Ingushetia. Military clashes, kidnapping of aid workers and foreigners, violent crimes and muggings are prevalent. Other areas of concern include North Ossetia, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya and Kabardino-Balkariya. Events in all these places are difficult to gauge and can change rapidly. On-the-ground consular support regarding these destinations can be negligible or non-existent. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Accomodation Reviews Find Lonely Planet author reviewed places to stay * Required Fields Country * Please select Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Egypt England Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel & the Palestinian Territories Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Russia Scotland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey USA United Arab Emirates Vietnam City * Please select Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Travelcasts Pod-up on St Petersburg and hear author Simon Richmond's insider tips. Listen now › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links

Switzerland Travel

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