Taiwan News
Date: 2016-02-11
By: Central News Agency

The former head of Taitung County’s Tourism Department who initiated the Taiwan International Balloon Fiesta in 2011, won a “model civil servant” award in late 2015.

In addition to Chen Shu-hui, the honor was awarded to five other civil servants and four teams of government employees by the Ministry of Civil Service last December.

After Chen assumed the position as head of Taitung’s Tourism Department in 2010, she began looking for an event to promote her southeastern county, which is famous for its beaches along the Pacific, mountainous scenery and indigenous tribal cultures.

Chen was reminded of the charm of hot air ballooning she experienced during a trip to Australia and New Zealand and thought the county’s climate and geography is suitable for the sport.     [FULL  STORY]