Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau trains tourism taxi drivers to embrace the business opportunities brought by the direct flights between Tainan and Hong Kong. (Photo: Tainan City Government)

07-10-2013 01:13:52 China Review News

    By Jia-Lin Jhao from Tainan on July 10

International flights mean business opportunities! Regular direct flights between Tainan and Hong Kong will be launched on July 18, bringing a major breakthrough in passenger transport. To provide tourists with tailor-made travel and transportation services, the Tourism Bureau has expanded the training programs for tourism taxi drivers who will serve as the front-line tourism service providers for independent tourists.
　　To respond to the business opportunities brought by independent travelers from the non-stop flights, the Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau is designing seamless transit services based on the features of taxi transport: great convenience, mobility, and fun wherever the vehicle goes. More than 50 drivers participated in the first tourism taxi driver training program, among which 35 passed the exam and obtained a certificate. The certification ceremony was hosted by Chun-An Chen, Director-General of the Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau, on July 9.
　　There are a total of 109 tourism taxi drivers in Tainan City currently, said Chen. The tourism taxi driver training program is a win-win measure. On one hand, the trainee drivers can acquire useful skills, develop a second specialty, gain tourist customers, and increase their income; on the other hand, with enhanced reception skills for international tourists, every driver may become a characteristic and successful local goodwill ambassador, leaving visitors with joyful and touching memories about their trips in Tainan.
　　To identify the taxi service, added Chen, the City awards the drivers who have received the certificates, with specially designed service emblems, caps and vests. The qualified drivers will also receive in-vehicle promotional flyer holders issued by the Tourism Bureau, to provide useful travel information for visitors in Tainan. The tourism taxis can thus be transformed into small but complete mobile travel service stations.
　　Moreover, the Tourism Bureau will forward the list of qualified drivers to the visitor information centers, major hotels and recreation areas in Tainan City, s.