![Innovation nation](https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1706188642/articles/UfkLVK7Oi1707815085633/INNOVATION-NATION.jpg)
Taiwan had a good pandemic, if anyone did. A medicineled approach won plaudits for its technical achievements and balanced approach. At the same time, Taiwan took time out to reboot its fading tourism facilities, both physical and administrative. As a result, there has been considerable change since 2019, when Taipei was incubating a reputation for boutique tourism and as a novel meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination. There is cause for business optimism in 2024 too, with 3 per cent growth predicted on the back of stronger exports and tech sales.
In September 2022, the fairly sclerotic Tourism Bureau was given a makeover and turned into the rebooted Tourism Administration. This means more influence and a bigger budget to drive development of the convention, exhibition and tourism industries.
Business visitors will receive an "open arms" welcome, according to MEET Taiwan's latest promotional campaign, which offers deals on conferences, plus rail tickets and cash handouts of up to US$70 for individual business visitors who extend their stay. Generous individual and group "sightseeing" subsidy programmes are also afoot.
Partly in response to China banning its people from travelling to Taiwan in 2019 (a measure that was relaxed towards the end of 2023), the island has marketed itself instead to friendly neighbours such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Other incentives have increased visitor traffic, especially from North America and the Middle East. On the ground there has been a sharp increase in the quality and quantity of accommodation around transport and tourism hubs like Taipei Main Station, extending into entertainment districts like Ximending, with its Asian fashion, cosplay aesthetics, shopping, and cinemas.
Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av Business Traveller UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av Business Traveller UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/UcIxYrW6-1724926161636/crp_Albania-Vlor-Hoxha-Tirana-Skanderbeg-Square-travellers-taverling-Albania-turism-Maldives-of-Europe-Ksamill-Balkan-country-Enver-Hoxha-Europe-Adriatic-and-Ionian-coastline-Albanian-Riviera-Dhrmi-hiking-trails.jpg)
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
![Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/uf5ltCNfa1724928633870/SUSHI-KANESAKA-AT-45-PARK-LANE-LONDON.jpg)
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself
![Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/opep32Ut71724928445636/SCANDIC-SPECTRUM-COPENHAGEN.jpg)
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre
![Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/oRc1uJZtn1724928262825/KIMPTON-CLOCKTOWER-MANCHESTER.jpg)
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude
![Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/8sK9OY9R81724928091646/MANDARIN-ORIENTAL-MAYFAIR-LONDON.jpg)
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A stunning success another calming experience in the capital
![Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/4okM0QBrJ1724927891955/EUROSTAR-BUSINESS-PREMIER-LONDONPARIS.jpg)
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris
![Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/bWtWVdt0D1724927686241/QATAR-AIRWAYS-BOEING-777300ER-FIRST-CLASS-DOHAHONG-KONG.jpg)
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect
![4 HOURS IN...Vienna](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/Mda1UBh1_1724927444600/4-HOURS-INVIENNA.jpg)
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes
![SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/nVXP6Ls_N1724927149809/SWITCHING-OFF-INTHE-LOIRE-VALLEY.jpg)
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox
![More is more in the Maldives](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1812534/OKD6g5EmS1724926712645/MORE-IS-MORE-IN-THE-MALDIVES.jpg)
More is more in the Maldives
From sky dives to submersibles, we explore the most extravagant experiences available in the Maldives