tourism

MSC Bellissima sets record for largest cruise ship to dock at the Port of Keelung

MSC Bellissima at the Port of Keelung
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

The largest cruise ship to ever dock at the Port of Keelung sailed into the harbor today, May 4, bringing more than 4,600 visitors to the harbor city and Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. The MSC Bellissima sailed into the harbor at around 6:00 am, and was greeted by tugboats with a water salute. The 315-meter-long ship is operated by MSC Cruises, and has 19 decks, 2,217 cabins, 18 elevators, and three swimming pools. There are 1,564 personnel on board to serve

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Tourism operators disappointed after luxury cruise ship cancels east coast port of call due to bad weather

Cruise ship Seven Seas Mariner passes by the Port of Hualien
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

A cruise ship carrying 500 passengers sailed past the port of Hualien, and will sail directly to Keelung Harbor, after the captain of the vessel decided that high winds and swells made it unsafe to enter the port. The Seven Seas Mariner was scheduled to dock at the Port of Hualien at 7:00 am today, March 13. However, sustained winds of level 6 to 7 on the Beaufort Scale, gusts up to Beaufort-scale 10, and swells of 3 to 4

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Taipei City Mayor in Bangkok: “Hong Kong is Boring”

Taipei Mayor Ko Wenje visits a temple in Thailand
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je, speaking at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok today drew laughter from reporters when he said “Hong Kong is boring.” Ko responded to questions from reporters after a statement from a Thai tourism industry leader during a lunch meeting, who said that considering Taiwan’s recently implemented visa-waiver program for Thai visitors, and with increased publicity, the number of Thai visitors to Taiwan could surpass that of Hong Kong. Thai visitor numbers to Hong Kong last year surpassed

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Double-Decker Buses Begin Service in Taipei

double decker bus in Taipei City
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

A fleet of open-top double-decker buses offering tours of Taipei City were officially launched today January 18, 2017. The bright red buses reminiscent of London’s famous buses, will operate on 2 routes that take in Taipei’s major attractions. Audio guides are available in four languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Tickets start from NT$300 for a four-hour tour, and from now until Chinese New Year’s eve, people traveling in pairs can take advantage of a 2 for 1 special. The

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Local Tour Guides Panic about Foreign Tour Guides

taiwan tourism slogan Taiwan touch your heart
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 4 Comments ,

A bill put to the legislature that proposes “Westerners” be allowed to act as tour guides in Taiwan has caused a panic among local tour guides, according to a report in United Daily News. Liberty Times Network reported that legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) put forward the proposal to amend the law to allow expatriates in Taiwan to act as tour guides. Under the proposal, Taiwan residents of foreign nationality, including foreign spouses, expatriates, and students, would be allowed to “assist

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Tourism Operators Introduce Combined Orchid Island and Green Island Ferry Route

Orchid Island Ferry
Business and Economy 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , , , , ,

Tourism operators in Taitung today introduced a new ferry route that will allow travelers to purchase one ticket to visit both Green Island and Orchid Island. Daily services will begin May 1. Up till now visitors who went to either Island had to take a ferry back to Fugang Harbor to board a separate ferry to go to the other island. An industry spokesperson said the new route offers provides convenience and cost savings for visitors to the islands. A

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