Taipei, already a popular conference and exhibition destination, is attracting a growing number of incentive groups. This has resulted in a more diverse range of activities and venue locations for groups. The city’s compact size, growing list of five-star hotels and professional event organisers, and its mix of cultures provide an ideal base for customised trips.
 
“Taiwan has become popular for meetings and incentives thanks to its modern venues, stunning natural resources and convenient transport,” says Sin Chen, project leader at Meet Taiwan. “Imagine a country smaller than Switzerland where it only takes 90 minutes to travel from north to south. We have 3,000-metre-high mountain ranges located only a short distance from tropical resorts.”
 
Recent arrivals
Taiwan’s largest incentive group was a four-day event for Chinese direct sales company, Perfect in July. More than 5,000 participants flew in from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau for a convention at TWTC Nangang, followed by trips to Yehliu Geopark, Sun Moon Lake, Kenting and Shilin Night Market.
 
Manulife Insurance was also a recent visitor with 600 delegates for a summit and incentive trip. The group stayed at the iconic Grand Hotel and visited the National Palace Museum, Taipei 101 and A-li Mountain. Meet Taiwan provided both groups with services such as visa assistance, site inspections, venue sourcing, activity advice and destination information.
 
Best for…Hot springs
Among the most popular relics of the Japanese colonisation of Taiwan are the numerous hot springs. Close to downtown Taipei is Landis Resort Yangmingshan, where groups of 40 can enjoy the natural hot springs from US$33 per person.
 
There is also a restaurant and function space for up to 120 people. Half-day meeting packages are US$49 per person including lunch. For an extra $23, guests can use hotel facilities including the hot springs. Stop at theLin Yutang House for coffee and tea and a tour of the famous author’s residence.
 
A 30-minute drive from TWTC Nangang is the province of Yilan, where rooms at Evergreen Phoenix Hotelfeature deep bathtubs with water pumped from the nearby natural hot springs. Yilan is also popular for home-stays and farming experiences.

Best for…Team activities
There are no professional teambuilding companies in Taiwan, but the leading DMCs and PCOs are experienced in putting together team activities.
 
“We took a group of 30 executives to pottery-making classes where they had to sell their creations to one another,” says Kitty Wong, president of K&A International. “We also organised traditional puppetry classes for groups of 50 people. The group is split into smaller teams who learn skills and tricks from a teacher, before staging a performance.”
 
City treasure hunts are also popular. “Nike wanted to organise a ‘get to know you’ event for their new regional human resources director,” says Wong. “The 70-person group travelled around Taipei by subway, posing for photos with banners showing his likes and dislikes.”
 
Best for…Off-site dining
Many Taipei landmarks such as Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall feature large plazas that are available for corporate events. To give events an historic feel, Wong has even hosted dinner for 250 people on the lawn beside an old air raid shelter. “It is a unique venue where groups can learn about Taiwanese history during the evening,” she says.
 
Yeh recommends the Zen-inspired restaurants in the San Remo area, a 50-minute drive from downtown. “These restaurants offer a fusion of Japanese and Taiwanese cuisine in leafy surroundings with impressive architecture,” he says. “The Tong San Lo banquet hall in Yangmingshan National Park is also good for groups of 800.”
 

Best for…After hours
Taipei has five different night markets featuring local, Japanese and Korean-made goods. The markets open in the late afternoon and close around 2am. Clothing and souvenirs such as cell phone charms are the most popular buys for corporate groups.
 
Jason Yeh, CEO of Taiwanlook DMC, says: “We take groups of 200 people to the night markets then split them into smaller groups of 20 people. This way the guide can give each group special attention, and offer recommendations and advice on prices.”
 
Best for…Local culture
The National Theatre and Concert Hall regularly hosts performances by local and international artists. The National Museum is also a must-see. Follow a museum tour with a banquet at the on-site Silks Palace, an elegant 1,500 sqm venue. The special Imperial Treasures menu includes edible replicas of some of the museum’s most prized artefacts.
 
Tea is an important part of local culture. “There are many tea plantations around Taipei that groups can visit,” says Yeh. “We show them the preparation process, how the leaves are picked and dried. Or they can join in and prepare their own brew that will be ready for them to take home within two days.”
 
A half-day temple tour and lunch with the monks is a popular option for groups as large as 500 people.