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(Translation
from
Liberty Times article about Jo Ann MacKenzie, April 2009, by Jane
Lee.)
The best tourism
resources in Taiwan
by Jane Lee
It was
incredible that some Chinese tourists carved characters on the rocks
in Yehliu Geopark just for fun. Our government tolerated their rude
behavior because of very brief economic profits; besides, the impact
that they have made to our nature and ecology was also a headache.
Actually, we do neglect another market—ecotoursim, when we are fully
dedicated to the promotion of Taiwan’s tourism in the international
community.
I attended a
seminar with my colleague at Taiwan University on April 1st.
The speechmaker of the seminar was Miss Jo Ann Mackenzie, who was
the former president of the British Columbia Field Ornithologists,
and was also a bird-watching record holder in Canada. She has been
to 38 countries, and has watched over 4000 species of birds in the
world. Taiwan is her favorite country; that’s the reason why she
helps promote Taiwan’s ecotourism to the world. During the seminar,
Miss Mackenzie explained what the ecotourism is with a journal of
her travels and photos, and shared the way how other countries
promote their ecotourism with the professors and college students.
She said promoting ecotoursim is the best thing to do for the
welfare of local people, and emphasized the importance of local
government’s support.
There are more
than 10,000 species of plants, over 500 species of birds, and about
400 species of butterflies in Taiwan. Taiwan is endowed with
abundant biological resources, and is home to about 150,000 species,
or 1.5% of the world’s species. Taiwan’s biodiversity is on top of
the world. This is really something we should be proud of. God gives
Taiwan such precious natural resources, why not cherish and make
good use of them?
Comparing the
economic profits brought by Chinese tourists, ecotourism will
benefit people in Taiwan in a long-term and safer way. Luxurious
hotels and large shopping malls are not needed, all we have to do is
conserve our ecology well. Furthermore, the hospitality of Taiwan
people and the delicious food are great attractions to the
international birders. Most international birders form the US,
Canada and European countries are retired professionals, and they
respect the local ecology. Disturbing nature is the last thing for
them to do. Since we have a wonderful environment for bird-watching,
why not welcome these international birders with open arms?
At the end of
the seminar, Miss Mackenzie reminded all the ecotourism lovers with
three rules: 1. Take nothing, but your photos and beautiful
memories. 2. Leave nothing, but your footprints. 3. Kill nothing,
but time. I’d like to encourage all the people in Taiwan to be the
helpers for Taiwan’s ecotourism. Let’s do our best to make Taiwan a
paradise for all the birders.
Liberty Times Article
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