The number of inbound tourists to Taiwan will be as much as 10 million in 2016, and the government is encouraging private businesses to take part in Penghu's infrastructural projects to make the island a global tourist destination and bring high-class international hotels or resorts to the islands, Vice Premier Jiang Yi-huah said today while touring the archipelago.
Jiang said the Penghu Islands' long, golden beaches have excellent potential for turning the area into a prosperous world-class coastal resort destination. He also stressed, however, that all the necessary environmental impact assessments must be completed, and developers must communicate with local residents in order to ensure a win-win-win situation for the government, citizens and private investors.
The Penghu National Scenic Area Administration (Penghu NSAA) under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) cited the islands' successful first ROT (reconstruct-operate-transfer) project as a model example of the MOTC providing opportunities for the private sector to invest in national infrastructure construction. (It is also a milestone for resulting in the establishment of the first duty-free store on Taiwan's outlying islands, it added.) The project won a Golden Thumb Award in 2011 (the Golden Thumb Awards recognize private participation in infrastructure projects) and produces NT$1.16 million (US$39,000) in revenue, NT$3.5 million (US$117,000) in government savings and 65 employment opportunities per year.
In addition to providing more private investment opportunities, the Penghu NSAA will focus on strengthening Penghu's image as a tourist destination using tools like diversified marketing and creating a more tourism-friendly environment, including improving traffic and tourist flows.
Vice Premier Jiang also visited the 12-hectare (ha) site of the Huxi coastal resort project, which would be divided into an 8.4 ha coastal resort area with accommodations, dining establishments, recreation spaces, spas, ceremonial halls and conference rooms and a 3.6 ha open recreation area with parking units, nature preserves and beaches for public use. Local cultural heritage and products would also be integrated into the project to provide a special cultural experience to visitors. Private investors are welcome to adopt part of the open recreation area, assisting in its maintenance, management and emergency rescue contact and notification. The project requires a minimum of NT$500 million (US$16.7 million) in investments.
Soon afterwards, Vice Premier Jiang took a ride to Xiyu Township and Magong City to be updated on the Yuwengdau Resort Hotel and Recreation Area project and the Dong Wei Stone Park project, respectively. The overviews of these two projects are summarized as follows:
1. Yuwengdau Resort Hotel and Recreation Area
-- Location: Northern tip of Xiyu Township, also a gateway for this township
-- Land area: 5.62 ha
-- Item 1: A four-star (or above) hotel with at least 80 rooms, using the BOT (build-operate-transfer) model
-- Item 2: Extension and renovation of the Yuwengdau Tourist Service Center, using the ROT model
-- Minimum investment amount: NT$200 million (US$6.7 million)
-- Tender Process: Fifth invitation to tender between June 11 and September 11, 2012, with one firm submitting a tender, whose qualifications were confirmed September 12. A follow-up review meeting will be held, as stipulated by regulations.
2. Dong Wei Stone Park
-- Location: Dong Wei Village, Magong City, at a hub connecting the recreational areas of Baisha and Xiyu townships
-- Land area: 4.24 ha
-- Minimum investment amount: NT$200 million (US$6.7 million)
-- Item 1: A four-star (or above) hotel with at least 60 rooms, using the BOT model
-- Renovation and operation of the current recreational facilities in the Dong Wei Stone Park, using the ROT model
-- Tender Process: Bidders are invited to submit tenders now.
According to the MOTC, Penghu was selected by Lonely Planet, the world's largest travel guide publisher, for inclusion in its 2011 list of the world's top 10 "secret islands." In the same year, Penghu was named a candidate for entry to the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club. Penghu County Magistrate Wang Chien-fa recently traveled to Turkey to formally apply for inclusion in this UNESCO-sponsored club, which would help further raise Penghu's international visibility.