Tourism Development and Rural Tourism in Taiwan

Abstract

Although tourism plays an increasingly important role in Taiwan's economy, and despite increasing government and academic interest in tourism development and rural tourism in Taiwan, the literature currently lacks of a concise review that brings together the various aspects of tourism development in Taiwan. The present chapter aims to contribute to closing this gap. It does so in six concise sections: a brief overview of Taiwan; the development of tourism in Taiwan; tourism and the economy in Taiwan; tourism and politics in Taiwan; rural tourism development; and small hotels in Taiwan. It is hoped that this account would serve as an important context specific prerequisite for future and more in-depth studies on tourism development and rural tourism in Taiwan.