The Taiwan Pavilion in the 2008 Arabian Travel Market which will be held at Dubai Conferences and Exhibitions Center on May 6-9, 2008 will highlight the special connection of nature, culture and technology that Taiwan offers. Visitors will experience virtually the nature of Taiwan through an interactive multimedia presentation featuring three films produced by award-winning Taiwan film director Hou Hsiao-Hsien. Daily shows at the pavilion will offer visitors a taste of healthful Taiwan teas and an opportunity to witness Taiwan's tea-making traditions. Furthermore, five Taiwan IT companies, all winners of Taiwan Excellence Awards for superior innovation, quality, and design, will showcase their latest products, including a large touch screen personal navigation device and a waterproof flash drive. Travel industry professionals interested in establishing a partnership will meet representatives of four travel agencies and one mountain resort from Taiwan. Information on business travel and medical tours will also be available. The Taiwan Pavilion is organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and sponsored by the Board of Foreign Trade, the Tourism Bureau, and Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The countries of the Middle East are now firmly established as top international tourism destinations, the number of tourists who came to the region in 2000 increased by nearly 10 percent to 20 million. The World Tourism Organization predicts that growth in the Middle East's tourism industry will be 50 percent higher than the world's average by 2020. __
