Could diving give a much-needed boost to Taiwan’s tourism industry?
The News Lens
Date: 2016/09/09
By: Yuan-ling Liang
The Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Show Taiwan 2016 held in Taipei in June exhibited diving businesses
Photo Credit: SNORKELINGDIVES.COM @ Flickr CC By 2.0
from Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, and has led Taiwan to rethink its strengths in the diving industry.
Wang Cin-jie (王勤介), director of Sea Angel (台灣山海天使環境保育協會), a Taiwanese NGO promoting environmental protection, says Taiwan has several advantages in the diving market.
Green Island, Orchid Island (Lanyu), Kenting, Xiaoliuqiu (Lamay Island) and even the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area all have abundant resources for diving activities. However, there are currently no government authorities helping to develop the diving industry in Taiwan, reporter Wang Yuan-hung (王元鴻) wrote in the Chinese-language Liberty Times.
Wang calls for more specific environmental policies from the government, saying that excessive fishing and contamination in diving areas have prevented the growth of Taiwan’s diving industry. He estimates an output value of NT$4 billion (US$127 million) for Green Island if ecological restoration were carried out and transportation conditions improved. [FULL STORY]