I. Challenge 2008: National Development Plan
1. The program aims to establish a tour route focusing on Thao culture and mountain lake resources at Sun Moon Lake area to develop the area as a mountain lake vacation destination with international appeal. This objective will be achieved by developing four large-scale recreation systems offering high-quality facilities and services.
2. The program aims to create a new image of the urban and rural areas of Sun Moon Lake and create a tourism-friendly environment that can attract international visitors through the reduction of built structures and development of bilingual guide systems.
3. The program aims to attract international visitors from the target markets of Europe, the US, Japan, and mainland China for eco-tourism.
4. The program aims to increase the number of annual visitors to the Sun Moon Lake area to two million people by 2007.
II. Economic Development Vision for 2015 Stage I: Three-year Sprint Program (2007~2009)
1. Project Objectives:
(1) Establish leisure facilities and enhance the quality of tourism service facilities
(2) Establish a comprehensive bicycle and trail system and expand areas for public leisure, sports and recreation
(3) Enhance landscaping, beautification, and eco-engineering work to improve the landscape along road corridors and blend with the surrounding natural and cultural environment.
2. Project Scope:
The Sun Moon Lake Tour Route begins in Caotun and Mingjian. From Caotun, it extends along Prov. Hwy 14 and Prov. Hwy 21 to Sun Moon Lake; and from Mingjian, it follows Prov. Hwy 3 to Prov. Hwy 16 and Prov. Hwy 21 to Sun Moon Lake. The main area of this route extends over the seven Nantou County townships of Caotun, Guosing, Puli, Yuchih, Shueili, Jiji and Mingjian, including the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area and scenic sites along the way.
3. Project Description:
(1) Development of the National Scenic Area: The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area will continue to undergo development through various projects, such as improvement to public facilities at lakeside scenic sites in the Shueishe and Ita Thao areas.
(2) Construction of wastewater treatment plants: Construction of wastewater treatment plants will be continued in the Shueishe and Ita Thao areas.
(3) Improvement of roadside landscaping: Facilities and landscaping along Prov. Hwy 14, Prov. Hwy 21, Prov. Hwy 21A, Route 131, and the Jiji Branch Line will be improved.
(4) Improvement of urban and rural streetscapes: Barrier removal and beautification work will be carried out in the townships of Caotun, Guosing, Puli, Yuchih, Shueili, Jiji, and Mingjian.
4. Operation Plan:
(1) Operation, management and maintenance of public service facilities
1. Annual budgets are allocated to subsidiary agencies in the tour route area for the management and maintenance of non-profit public service facilities. Private corporations and organizations are also encouraged to adopt facilities to lighten the financial burden on the government.
2. For-profit recreation sites are leased for private operation to increase public revenue, create jobs and promote local economic development.
(2) Promotion of private participation in tourism and recreation development
1. Incentives and regulations are used to encourage private investment in accommodation and food service facilities in a planned hotel area and gondola system to lighten the financial burden on the government and enhance the quality of public facilities.
2. In accordance with the "Guidelines for Preferential Loans to Encourage the Upgrading of the Tourism Industry," tourism businesses are encouraged to invest in tourism facilities to upgrade the quality of the travel environment to international standards.
(3) Assistance and guidance in upgrading the tourism industry
1. Guidance is provided through industry organizations to help businesses upgrade service levels. The government and private sector have also teamed up to arrange workshops and training programs to improve international visitor reception ability and quality.
2. The central and local governments jointly provide guidance in developing high-quality and distinctive B&B accommodations to enhance recreational appeal.
(4) Upgrading travel service quality
1. Information service stations provide foreign language publication and personnel guide services. Volunteers are also recruited and trained to provide guide services in foreign languages and guide training programs are held to expand human resources able to receive international visitors.
2. Foreign language travel information websites and guide systems are established and related guide brochures are published to provide convenient access to high-quality travel information services.
3. Measures are adopted to improve traffic flow during holiday periods to facilitate visitor transportation.
(5) Marketing and promotion
1. Related units and industry groups are coordinated to hold large-scale activities integrating the distinctive natural, industry and festival resources of the tour route so as to attract international visitors.
2. The Sun Moon Lake Tour Route and Central Mountain Range Tour Route are jointly marketed and promoted internationally.
5. Phased Regional Development Plan
(1) First phase (2007)
First phase construction of the Siangshan Administrative Center, construction of wastewater treatment plants, construction of the Checheng Logging Exhibition Hall and surrounding landscape work, and construction of public facilities on Lalu Island
(2) Second phase (2008 and 2009)
Construction of Shueishe Park, renovation of high-quality public restroom facilities, signage systems throughout the scenic area, repair of ridgeline hiking trails, second phase construction of the Siangshan Administrative Center, and construction of wastewater treatment plants
6. Cost
The cost of first phase (2007) projects is estimated at NT$300 million; and the cost of second phase projects is estimated at NT$908 million (2008: NT$450 million; 2009: NT$458 million), for a total cost of NT$1.208 billion. The project costs are broken down as follows:
(1) Land acquisition cost: NT$45 million
(2) Planning cost: NT$30 million
(3) Public construction cost: NT$1.133 billion
7. Anticipated benefits:
(1) Achieving sustainable operation of the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area
(2) Renewing Sun Moon Lake's image and creating a high-quality tour environment for domestic and international visitors
(3) Extending visitor stays and creating tourism job opportunities in the Sun Moon Lake area
(4) Attracting private investment and promoting private participation in public development