New Southbound Policy Portal

Excellent hiking trails such as those on Mt. Liushishi in eastern Taiwan’s Hualien County are among the reasons for the nation’s inclusion in the top 10 destinations worldwide deserving of more attention in 2019, according to travel website Globe Spots. (Courtesy of Hualien County Government)

Taiwan was ranked eighth among the top 10 destinations worldwide deserving of more attention in 2019, according to a list published Jan. 3 by international travel website Globe Spots.
 
Classified as a classic and convenient location with great sites, the country was lauded for its unique attractions and diverse landscapes ranging from soaring peaks and traditional rural communities to neon-flashing cosmopolitan cities.
 
According to the website, Taiwan’s mountains offer excellent hiking opportunities and natural hot spring getaways, while the nation’s famous night markets serve up unlimited choices to spoil any food lover.
 
But what really sets Taiwan apart is its compactness, Globe Spots wrote, adding that “you can circumnavigate the whole island in a matter of days, but to do the place justice you will need weeks.”
 
Noting that the country is growing in popularity as a vacation destination, the website encouraged readers to visit sooner rather than later.
 
This is the second time Taiwan has made the annual top 10 list after placing sixth in 2010. Sao Tome and Principe, Belarus and Sweden lead this year’s ranking, in that order.
 
According to the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan received a record 11 million foreign visitors in 2018, underscoring the effectiveness of government initiatives to attract more overseas travelers.
 
Related measures include easing visa regulations for tourists from New Southbound Policy target nations and fostering a Muslim-friendly environment through promoting halal certification and installing prayer rooms at major transportation hubs, the bureau said.
 
A central plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP is enhancing Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (KWS-E)