[Poll] Where do you want to ring in the New Year? 80% of netizens choose the City Government’s New Year’s Eve countdown party

▲Taipei City Government New Year’s Eve Countdown Party. (Photo / Courtesy of Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

As 2015 is approaching, many people have probably already planned where to celebrate New Year's Eve on December 31, 2014. Recently, ETtoday EBC conducted a "2015 New Year's Eve Destination Survey," and the results showed that over 80% of respondents plan to attend New Year’s Eve parties hosted by local county and city governments, with Taipei City taking the lead at 30%. Meanwhile, nearly 50% of those not attending countdown events said they would spend New Year’s Eve at home.

Since Taipei City Government kicked off the trend of New Year’s Eve parties, now many local governments across Taiwan host various countdown events on December 31, featuring performances by celebrities and ending with spectacular fireworks. Among them, the fireworks show at Taipei 101 is renowned nationwide, even attracting many international tourists who come specifically to witness its beauty. In the ETtoday EBC “2015 New Year's Eve Destination Survey,” when asked, “Where will you be spending New Year’s Eve in 2015?”, over 30% chose the Taipei City New Year’s Eve Countdown Party, 15% selected the Kaohsiung City event, 16% opted for the Taichung City party, while Taoyuan, Tainan, and Yilan each drew 10%, 9%, and 2% respectively.

■ Where will you be spending New Year’s Eve in 2015?
1. Taipei City New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (30.79%)
2. Taoyuan County New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (9.83%)
3. Taichung City New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (16.38%)
4. Tainan City New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (8.73%)
5. Kaohsiung City New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (15.07%)
6. Yilan City New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (2.18%)
7. Other (17.03%)

▲Sunrise at Alishan. (Photo / Taken by Hong Sheng-yi)

When asked where they would go if not attending a New Year’s Eve countdown, the most popular choice was “staying at home” at 48%, followed by watching the sunrise at Alishan (9%). As for other popular spots to greet the first light, such as Taitung’s Sanxiantai and Taimali, the percentages were only 4% and 3% respectively.

■ If you’re not attending a county or city government New Year’s Eve countdown, where do you plan to spend the night?
1. Fulong Beach (Northeast Coast Sunrise) (4.59%)
2. Yilan Toucheng (4.37%)
3. Sun Moon Lake (5.24%)
4. Alishan (9.17%)
5. Xilaya Erliao Sunrise Pavilion (1.53%)
6. Kenting (7.42%)
7. Taitung Sanxiantai New Year’s Eve Sunrise (4.37%)
8. Taitung Green Island New Year’s Eve Sunrise (1.75%)
9. Taitung Taimali New Year’s Eve Sunrise (3.28%)
10. Orchid Island New Year’s Eve Sunrise (0.66%)
11. At Home (48.91%)
12. Abroad (2.84%)
13. Other (5.90%)

When asked who they most often celebrate New Year's Eve with, the most common answer was "family" (46%), followed by "partner" (25%), with classmates and close friends each accounting for 14% and 12%, respectively, and coworkers only 2%.

■ Who do you most often celebrate New Year's Eve with?
1. Partner (25.33%)
2. Classmates (14.19%)
3. Family (46.29%)
4. Coworkers (2.18%)
5. Close friends (12.01%)

▲ Fireworks at Taipei 101. (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government)

The annual New Year’s Eve celebrations and fireworks displays, which cost significant public funds, are regularly scrutinized by elected officials. Nearly 70% (69%) of netizens consider it a “money-burning” event, while 43% believe fireworks are essential for New Year’s Eve, and 56% think they are not necessary. Finally, regarding past New Year’s Eve events, the most unbearable aspect cited by netizens was “too many people,” at 49%, followed by “lack of restrooms” at 38%.

■ Do you think the New Year’s Eve events organized by local governments every year are a waste of money?
1. Yes (69.21%)
2. No (30.79%)

■ Do you think fireworks are essential for New Year’s Eve events?
1. Yes (43.01%)
2. No (56.99%)

■ What do you find most unbearable about the New Year’s Eve events you’ve attended?
1. Too many people (49.34%)
2. No restrooms (too few restrooms) (37.55%)
3. No nearby food options (5.90%)
4. Not enough big-name celebrities (7.21%)