Typhoon Morakot Leaves Taiwan`s Major Tourist Attractions Intact

TAIPEI, Taiwan--(Business Wire)--
Typhoon Morakot ravaged southern Taiwan with flooding and landslides, but most
of the affected areas are in remote parts of the south. Popular destinations
visited by international tourists have been left untouched, domestic and
international flights are operating as usual, traffic on tour routes is flowing
smoothly, and the tourist environment is normal. Tourists have nothing at all to
worry about.

Sightseeing, recreational, dining, and accommodation facilities in destinations
that are a part of Taiwan`s traditional international tourist network - the
Taroko Gorge, Kending, Sun Moon Lake, the ancient capital city of Tainan, and
the port city of Kaohsiung - have not been damaged by the typhoon. The biggest
tourist attractions of northern Taiwan are even more unaffected: the mountain
towns of Jiufen and Jinguashi, Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, North Coast,
Yeliu Geopark, Northeast Coast and Yilan, the Two Chiangs Culture Park at
Taoyuan, and the Hakka towns of Hsinchu and Miaoli counties. In central Taiwan,
the tourist spots of Guguan, Xitou, Baguashan, and Taichung City, as well as the
outlying islands of Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, are in the middle of the summer
tourist season and are filled with bustling activity.

International and domestic flights are completely normal, and flights have even
been inaugurated to fly travelers between Kaohsiung in the west and Taitung on
the east coast while roads are being repaired. Transportation to the popular
Zhiben Scenic Area in Taitung has been restored, and the Chihpen Royal Hotel and
other popular resorts in the Zhiben hot-spring area have not been damaged.

Most of the damaged highways and railroads are also located in remote areas that
are not popular tourist destinations. Railway and highway links across southern
Taiwan, however, remain cut off. Among the prominent tourist spots damaged by
the typhoon, Alishan`s road and rail links have been broken; but the Alishan
Forest Recreation Area itself is undamaged, and the main road linking Alishan
with Chiayi (Provincial Highway 18) will be open again in the middle of
September. For detailed information on the reopening of the highway, please
visit the website of the Alishan National Scenic Area (www.ali-nsa.net) or the
Directorate General of Highways (www.thb.gov.tw).

Note: Areas Damaged by Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan (Attached Map link):
(http://www.cna.com.tw/postwrite/cvpread.aspx?ID=35169)

for Taiwan Tourism Bureau
Public Relations Office
Ms. ChunHua Chen, 886-2-23491650 or 886-912-594357
ch_chen@tbroc.gov.tw
International Division
Ms. Christine Lai, 886-2-23491613 or 886-934-141491
christine@tbroc.gov.tw

Copyright Business Wire 2009