By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
It’s currently the low season for travel, making it a great time for those looking to save money. Especially in Northeast Asia and Canada, where cherry blossom season begins in late March. The euro is weakening, so traveling and shopping in Europe are both great deals. In the Southern Hemisphere, the crisp autumn air is perfect for enjoying fall foliage and delicious food. Additionally, airlines are offering promotional fares, and the Travel Quality Assurance Association has announced tour price increases from April to June. Compared to the previous quarter, group tour prices for Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia have all decreased, with Australia seeing the largest drop of NT$9,000.
Compared to the previous quarter, tour prices in New Zealand and Australia have dropped by an average of NT$2,000 and NT$9,000 respectively. (Image provided by Magnum Editorial Department)
Japan’s cherry blossom season begins in late March and moves from south to north, lasting until the end of April. In 2012, the Shirainotaki Snow Wall in Kurobe is expected to open on April 17, with the snow wall estimated to be about 16 meters high. Hokkaido’s Hanamiyama is expected to bloom gradually in late May, with the most famous lavender blooming in mid-June. Prices in the Kanto and Kyushu regions have seen little fluctuation, dropping by about NT$1,000 to NT$2,000, while Hokkaido and Kansai have seen average drops of about NT$3,000 and NT$5,000 respectively. South Korea, which will host the Yeosu World Expo this May, has seen Seoul prices drop by NT$1,000 to NT$2,000, while Busan has experienced rising hotel and flight prices due to the Expo, with increases of about NT$3,000 expected starting mid-May.
As cross-strait travel becomes more frequent, airlines continue to add more mainland China routes. By the end of March, China Airlines plans to launch a new route between Songshan and Wenzhou. Since launching direct flights to Huangshan in January, EVA Air has seen a surge in travelers. The Anhui Tourism Bureau has launched the “Discover the Legend of Huangshan – Travel Cash Challenge” online event (www.anhuitravel.com.tw/event/travelcash/default.aspx) from now until mid-March, where netizens can earn travel cash through accumulated points. For Hong Kong and Macau, with Hong Kong Airlines joining the competition, various airlines are offering ultra-discounted fares from now until the end of March. China Airlines is even offering a three-day, two-night Taipei free-and-easy trip departing before March 24 for just NT$7,999 including taxes and fees.
European prices remain stable, but it’s also the rare once-in-10-years Floriade Horticultural Expo and Keukenhof Flower Festival in the Netherlands. With KLM launching direct flights to Amsterdam on March 25, spring is the perfect time to visit the Netherlands for its flowers. In contrast, the UK has seen higher price increases due to the London Olympics from July 27 to August 12 and the Paralympics from August 29 to September 9, which have impacted local accommodation and transportation prices.
As autumn arrives in New Zealand and Australia, it’s the best time to visit. Tour operators often focus on Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand, and the mountainous region north of Melbourne in Australia, where you can enjoy the beautiful red, yellow, and golden foliage of maple, euonymus, and birch trees. Since the previous quarter was peak season for New Zealand and Australia, group tour prices for both countries have been adjusted downward after April, especially in Australia, where the price drop of NT$9,000 is the largest.
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