Cross-strait connections
Eight out of 18 Taiwanese airports connect directly to key mainland cities following the historic resumption of cross-strait flights. Travellers can now fly from Kinmen, Mazu, Penghu, Song Shan, Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Taitung and Taichung to mainland cities such as Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Hangzhou. More direct air routes are on the way. Royal Caribbean Cruises and Costa Cruises were given approval in February to operate the first direct cruises between Shanghai and Taiwan.
Smokers beware
Taiwan has banned smoking on hotel premises such as restaurants, public areas and guestrooms, effective this year.
Those found violating the law will be fined between US$57 and US$286. To cater to smokers, Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei has set up a smoking room.
NTO launches incentives brochure
The Tourism Bureau has launched a 64-page incentive travel brochure, available in Chinese, English and Japanese. The brochure carries information on the island’s travel products under different themes — outdoor adventure, health and leisure, cultural attractions and festivals. There are plans to upload it on the Internet in the near future.
Taoyuan Airport ready for revamp
Taoyuan International Airport Terminal One will embark on a US$57.3 million revamp and expansion later in August. Scheduled for completion in 2012, the renovation will add 3,000m2 of space. The handling capacity of the expanded terminal will increase from 12 million passengers to about 15 million passengers.
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