Xiaoliuqiu Island cashes in on ecotourism boom

2015/06/18

Xiaoliuqiu Island in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County is experiencing a surge in tourism on the back of its pristine tidal zones and distinctive cultural traditions.

Daily visitor arrivals are topping 20,000 during holidays and weekends, with the annual total growing from 117,000 in 2006 to over 410,000 last year, according to ticket sales reported by local scenic spots. Counting in unticketed tourists, the figure is estimated at close to a million in 2014.

An official with Liuqiu Township Office said the popularity of the island over the past decade with out-of-towners is also illustrated by exponential growth in bed-and-breakfasts and luxury villas. “We have more than 300 accommodation service providers on our books, hosting guests eager to experience the rich biodiversity offered by Xiaoliuqiu’s unique ecosystem.”

The appeal of the dynamic foreshore environment remains strong despite a visitor cap implemented for the island’s major intertidal zones. In March, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications designated Xiaoliuqiu’s littoral belt as Taiwan’s second grouping of natural and cultural ecology scenic areas after Mukumugi Valley in Hualien County.

All five intertidal zones—Duziping, Geban Bay, Lobster Cave, Shanfu and Yuchengwei—are on the MOTC’s preservation list, striking a balance between ecological development and sustainability.

“The designation has helped restore habitat vitality and substantially improved the quality of tourism,” said Tseng Yu-wen, head of the local development alliance. “Professional guides with in-depth ecological knowledge are now available, further enriching the experiences of those journeying to the island.”

Diversifying Xiaoliuqiu’s tourism resources is another goal of the alliance, Tseng said, adding that this includes strengthening industry training standards and promoting local cultural assets.

“On top of its natural beauty, Xiaoliuqiu boasts rich traditions in pelagic fishery and folk religion. We are confident these cultural elements will spice up the island’s tourism appeal, making it a destination worth returning to again and again.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=231642&ctNode=413)