Check out exclusive discount packages for the Taipei International Travel Fair online first

By Li Xinyi, reporting

Known as the year-end travel anniversary sale, the 2011 Taipei International Travel Fair is set to kick off next month on the 11th. This year, 61 countries/regions will participate in Taiwan, setting a record with 1,500 booths on display. Among them, hotel operators – which every year draw crowds scrambling for deals – will number as many as 267. Therefore, in addition to showcasing international travel packages at Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center, Hall 3 has been specially designated as the Hotel/Leisure Inn Theme Area, bringing together star-rated hotels across Taiwan to offer their biggest annual discounts. Stay vouchers are being slashed to as low as 20% of the original price, and meal vouchers start from 50% off. The public can take this opportunity to snag great deals.

For meal vouchers, Sheraton, Huatai, and Taipei Silks Place are offering discounts of over 40% off. The Lai Lai Shangri-La, Taipei Grand Hyatt, and Ambassador Hotel are all under 30% off. The Lai Lai Shangri-La’s combined dining voucher for two VIPs is 1,300 TWD, and the Taipei Grand Hyatt’s combined meal voucher (for 2–3 people) is 1,350 TWD. For stay vouchers, the Grand Hyatt Taipei’s winter weekend stay package (two nights) is 6,990 TWD + 10%, about 24% off; the Caesar Park Taipei’s standard room (without breakfast) is 2,999 TWD; Kenting Yoho Resort’s weekday stay including breakfast and afternoon tea is 3,399 TWD; and the Naluwan Hotel’s weekday deluxe double room with one night’s stay and two meals is 3,999 TWD. Most accommodation discounts range between 30% to 50% off.

This year’s travel fair has expanded in scale, with many new exhibitors joining, including The Venetian Macao, Sheraton Hsinchu, Sun Moon Lake Wuling Villa, Sun Moon Lake Hotel, Taipei OBON Hotel, and Beitou KAGA Hotel. To make it easier for the public to gather travel information, the ITF online travel fair has been launched ahead of time, featuring exhibitor listings and introductions, booth floor plans, and travel fair discount details. For the first time this year, tickets are available for pre-sale at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks and the Rakuten Books website nationwide. Pre-purchasing before the event opens allows you to enjoy a 10% discount, with tickets priced at 180 TWD. One ticket grants access to both halls, and you can also visit the Cross-Strait Taipei Travel Fair held in Zone B of Hall 1 at the Taipei World Trade Center.

Online travel fair website: www.taipeiitf.org.tw.