The annual travel news poll results are out

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

The "Annual Travel News Poll" event launched by HowToTrip Travel Life Network before the Lunar New Year focused on "Which 2011 travel benefit do you think was the most advantageous for you?" and "Which 2011 HowToTrip travel innovation news story did you find the most appealing." The results are in, with "Opening of visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to multiple countries" and "Taiwan's Flying Miracle Edition" receiving the most support.

In the "Which 2011 travel benefit do you think was the most advantageous for you?" category, the rankings are as follows: "In 2011, visa-free and visa-on-arrival access was opened to 63 more countries, bringing the total to 125" with 64%; "More comprehensive and enriched Taiwan Good to Go scenic area shuttle buses" with 18%; "High-Speed Rail App tickets, just scan and enter the station" with 9%; "UK Youth Mobility Scheme" with 6%; and "Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau free travel App download" with 3%. This reflects the public's emphasis on the convenience of both international and domestic travel, with the efforts of government agencies gaining a certain level of recognition and actually making people feel benefited. However, the Taipei City Government’s efforts to build an e-first-class metropolis, with its promoted tourism App, didn’t seem to make many people feel they received any benefits—some may not have even known about it—suggesting there is room for improvement in content planning, practicality, and promotion.

Additionally, in the "Which 2011 HowToTrip travel innovation news story did you find the most appealing?" category, the rankings are: "Taiwan's Flying Miracle Edition ~ Ride a hot air balloon without leaving the country" with 44%; "Japanese Mikoshi Shrine Carriages Visit Taiwan for the First Time in 100 Years, Stirring Up the Beitou Hot Spring Festival" with 24%; "Hello Kitty Takes to the Skies! EVA Air Makes Flying Experiences Cute" with 15%; "Villagers Go Wild Too! The Most Kuso (funny/parody) Bicycle-Themed Event Debuts in Chiayi" with 13%; and "Celebrate Qixi Creatively: Sweet Moments at the Zoo Too" with 4%. This shows that between the desire to fly and fairy-tale romance, the idea of riding a hot air balloon without leaving the country deeply appealed to people. In contrast, the usually high-click-rate EVA Air Hello Kitty plane news seemed slightly less favored overall, with the Japanese mikoshi visit even edging out ahead. It seems that among interesting and creative news, stories also need to be unique and easy to participate in to truly win favor.

We sincerely thank everyone for participating in this poll. Prizes will be drawn and delivered after the Lunar New Year. As we welcome the new year, we look forward to more and better travel benefits, as well as fun and positive news, to make life more colorful, fulfilling, and joyful.

For related poll news content, please see the following links:

In 2011, visa-free and visa-on-arrival access was opened to 63 more countries, bringing the total to 125. (Link: goo.gl/ANJ7w)

More comprehensive and enriched Taiwan Good to Go scenic area shuttle buses (Link: goo.gl/btsVJ)

High-Speed Rail App tickets, just scan and enter the station (Link: goo.gl/4uDee)

UK Youth Mobility Scheme (Link: goo.gl/zg2iy)

Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau free travel App download (Link: goo.gl/3hQR3)

Taiwan's Flying Miracle Edition ~ Ride a hot air balloon without leaving the country (Link: goo.gl/iC907)

Japanese Mikoshi Shrine Carriages Visit Taiwan for the First Time in 100 Years, Stirring Up the Beitou Hot Spring Festival (Link: goo.gl/MlSF6)

Hello Kitty Takes to the Skies! EVA Air Makes Flying Experiences Cute (Link: goo.gl/r20ss)

Villagers Go Wild Too! The Most Kuso (funny/parody) Bicycle-Themed Event Debuts in Chiayi (Link: goo.gl/fhSH5)

Celebrate Qixi Creatively: Sweet Moments at the Zoo Too (Link: goo.gl/c4DHL)