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RURAL TOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF
REGIONAL PLANNING IN TAIWAN
Wen-Ching Hong
Division Chief, Agricultural Bureau,
Nantou County Government
660, Chung Hsing Rd., Nantou City, Taiwan
ABSTRACT
Rural tourism has become a new type of agricultural management in Taiwan which helps
farmers break through current management difficulties for small farms. It has two major
purposes. The first is to provide leisure and recreation for the public. The second is to increase
farmers’ incomes.
This Bulletin discusses rural tourism in Nantou county, located in the central part of
Taiwan. In 1996, Nantou county completed its comprehensive plan for rural tourism. The plan
proposed five major development projects in thirty-five potential tourism areas. Activities include
the traditional Chinese tea ceremony, digging for bamboo shoots, handiwork with bamboo, fruit
picking, etc. Recreational activities (such as visits to waterfalls and enjoying local foods) are
integrated into the rural tourism program.
INTRODUCTION two days off every other week.
Rural tourism has a positive impact on
Over the past ten years, rural tourism agricultural development, farmers’ incomes and
has become a new type of agricultural the standard of living in rural areas.
management in Taiwan. At present, there are However, one important issue is how to reach
two different development models. One is for a consensus among local government, farmers’
government projects that are supported by the associations, and individual farmers on what
central government. Such projects ask for the kind of projects to promote, and how they
opinion of local government and farmer should be funded and operated. Rebuilding
associations, and also consult farmers to see farmers’ faith in agriculture while Taiwan
how willing they are to participate. To apply participates in the World Trade Organization
for financial support, a project has to follow (WTO) is an urgent task right now. We
the regulations governing rural tourism. The believe that a combination of rural tourism
other model is a commercial project supported and leisure farms provides a good opportunity
by a company’s own budget. This usually for farmers to meet this challenge.
takes the form of what is called a leisure The implementation of rural tourism
farm. Although the number of leisure farms should use leisure as a way of achieving
in Taiwan is increasing, most of them belong agriculture development. Agriculture is the
to commercial companies. An additional 31 first aspect to be considered. This is then
leisure farms have been planned as integrated with natural scenery, other tourist
government projects, but less than half are in attractions and local culture. Rural tourism
operation right now. ensures benefits for farmers, but does not
Rural tourism has become an essential focus only on nature and the environment. It
part of agricultural development, especially is also customer-oriented, and tries to provide
now that Taiwan adopted in 1998 a policy of an excellent service for visitors.
Keywords: Development plan, environmental impact, exhibitions, leisure farms, leisure programs,
Nantou county, rural tourism
1
PLANNING FOR RURAL TOURISM Their plan proposed five major
development concepts (Table 1) and 35
Each year, the central government potential development areas. All areas were
allocates funds for counties that are willing to divided into three classes. (i.e., A, B, or C
promote the development of rural tourism. according to their priority). Thirteen areas
Each county will then consider the planning were assigned to class A. In addition, Nantou
applications based upon the particular County is planning to develop rural tourism in
agricultural specialities of that county, and the four towns and their surrounding areas. Two
preferences of local farmers’ associations. of these towns, Luku and Hsinyi, already have
Budget allocations are from the top-down. a range of tourism activities. Around Luku,
The content of proposed projects is from the attractions include a tour of tea-growing areas,
bottom-up. However, some local farmers’ visits to cultural and historic sites, and
associations also propose a corresponding bamboo and edible wild vegetables (Fig. 2).
budget to enhance their involvement in Around Hsinyi, tourists are drawn to plum
planning rural tourism. orchards, vineyards, vegetable and flower
The planning process consists of: first, farms and tea plantations (Fig. 3). Both
discussion of aims; then the analysis of towns are now improving their tourist
relevant laws and regulations; thirdly, the facilities, including walking trails through
evaluation of the potential of different areas beautiful scenery (Figs. 4, 5).
and activities for agricultural tourism; fourthly, The famous agricultural products of Luku
the selection of important categories and areas are tea and bamboo shoots. Rural villages
for detailed programs; fifthly, detailed near the town are full of characteristic old
development plans for different zones, and buildings, and there are many kinds of
finally, an analysis of the economic returns traditional handicrafts. Meanwhile, farmers
and other benefits. The whole planning have been using their farmers’ associations to
procedure is shown in Fig. 1. organize leisure activities such as tours of tea
Nantou county, located in the central or bamboo growing areas, and banquets with
part of Taiwan, will be used as a case study tea and music. Tourists taking part in these
in this Bulletin. Nantou is a typical tours are able to experience various
agricultural county with very little industry. agricultural practices such as drying tea, tea
Its resources include high-quality agricultural ceremony, digging bamboo shoots, and
products, diverse landscapes and excellent bamboo handicrafts. The farmers’ associations
water. Furthermore, seasonal changes add to also arrange farm stays for visitors.
the tourism potential of Nantou county. There Hsinyi is well located on the new cross-
are flowers and new leaves in spring, colorful island highway from the west to the east
maples in autumn, and snow in winter. coast, and lies close to Jade Mountain, the
The total area of Nantou county is about highest mountain in Taiwan. The local
401,600 ha, of which about 134,500 ha are culture of the (pre-Chinese) mountain* people,
used for agricultural production. More than and spectacular local waterfalls are also major
half the total population is involved in tourist attractions. As in Luku, the local
agriculture, including the production of rice, farmers’ association has organized a number
betelnut, tea, tobacco, sugarcane, vegetables, of tourist activities centred around agricultural
fruits and flowers. In 1996, Nantou county products such as Jade Mountain tea, plums,
completed a comprehensive plan for rural grapes, and bitter tea oil. Leisure programs
tourism. This plan integrated many factors, cover a tour of plum production areas,
including agricultural specialties, rural villages, including plum blossom in the spring, and a
and the natural environment. The planning display of dancing and music by mountain
project for the county was executed by people. Natural resources (such as forest,
professional researchers who spent one year on waterfalls and hot springs), add to the
this task. enjoyment of tourists who come to the area.
* Mountain people: People related to the Malays, living in Taiwan since ancient times,
before the arrival of the Chinese. (Ed.).
2
Aims of planning
* Origin of proposal
* Principal goals of plan
Resource analysis Related laws and regulations
* Natural environment
* Cultural environment
* Industrial environment
* Recreational environment
Analysis of development of potential
* Agricultural management
* Agricultural characteristics
* Farmers' willingness to participate
* Estimated no. of visitors
Development of rural tourism
* Issues of development
* Important categories (items)
* Primary regions for development
Managing organization, Detailed development planning
Regulations
* Definition of projects
* Planning facilities
* Planning management
* Planning for environmental management
* Planning of transportation system
* Planning for introduction of visitors
Cost-benefit analysis Executive planning by stage, by zone Source of funds
Conclusion
Fig. 1. Planning procedure for rural tourism
3
Table 1
4
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