A Warm Invitation from a Foreign Land: Four Central European Countries Jointly Promote Tourism

By Li Xinyi | Interview & Report

 

Taiwan’s position in the world can be seen not only through global political and economic news, but also from how various countries develop their tourism presence here. The 2011 Taipei International Travel Fair has come to a close. Although this year saw the addition of Hall 3 at the World Trade Center, apart from Japan and mainland China, the number of foreign tourism boards participating in Taiwan has not improved. Major tourism nations such as Italy, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia were all absent; on the other hand, countries that receive relatively fewer tourists from Taiwan, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Croatia, continued to set up booths to promote their destinations. These countries boast abundant tourism resources, with rich histories in areas such as art, historical sites, and hot springs. Even their crystal, amber, and handicrafts are distinctive souvenirs. In 2004, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland all joined the European Union together. Travelers wishing to visit Central Europe only need to apply for a Schengen visa from one country to freely explore all four.

The four Central European countries — Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland — which are relatively unfamiliar to many, signed a cooperation agreement in 1991 in the small Hungarian town of Visegrad. Due to their geographical proximity, frequent cultural exchanges, and shared historical ties, they decided to collaborate and formed the “Visegrad Group,” abbreviated as V4.

The Czech Republic is home to over 2,000 castles and manors, along with 37 world-renowned spa resorts. Czech beer is also worth trying. Additionally, figures like Kafka, Mozart, and Dvořák have deep connections with this country. Although Mozart was Austrian, Prague is said to be the city that understands his music best — so much so that he once said, “The people of Prague understand me the most

 

Slovakia is a country with centuries-old traditions of thermal spa culture. Its capital, Bratislava, was once an important site for royal coronations, where cars are banned from the city center, allowing visitors to fully enjoy strolling around. Poland serves as a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe, with Krakow—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—where the renowned Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus once studied at the local university.