2015 Yacht Carnival, Anping, Tainan enjoys fun with the public

Yacht Carnival sparks a wave of maritime leisure

(Taiwan TB News Network / Reporter Chen Nianzu) The Maritime and Port Bureau and the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications jointly planned and held the "Gather Your Group and Set Sail, Deliver Happiness by Boat - 2015 Yacht Carnival" event at 10 a.m. on September 19 in front of the yacht marina at Anping Port, Tainan City. After the opening performance, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Wu Meng-fen, Maritime and Port Bureau Director-General Chi Wen-chung, Tainan City Government Agriculture Bureau Deputy Director-General Kuo I-pin, and Tourism Bureau Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan National Scenic Area Administration Deputy Director Hung Chao-chang and other senior officials and guests took the stage together to launch the opening ceremony, announcing the official start of the 2015 Yacht Carnival.

Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Wu Meng-fen said that Taiwan is surrounded by sea on all sides and possesses rich marine resources, and our country's yacht manufacturing quality is also highly recognized internationally. In view of the past mindset of "emphasizing land over sea," the public has held a conservative attitude toward sea-related activities, so the government has put forward the basic concept of "strengthening the nation through the ocean," adopting the strategy of loosening and amending relevant laws and opening up sea-related activities to the public, in order to achieve the goal of "coastal openness." It is also hoped that by developing yacht activities, the public can understand the diversity and accessibility of yacht activities and experience the beauty of the ocean, and that through the joint efforts of the central and local governments to promote the construction of yacht-related facilities, the development of yacht activity-related economic and tourism industries can be driven forward.

Maritime and Port Bureau Director-General Chi Wen-chung said that in most people's minds, yachts usually carry impressions such as "toys for the rich, expensive, luxurious," and when it comes to leisure activities like riding yachts, people also think that one must have both money and free time. In fact, yachts can be chartered and priced by the hour, and on average a person only needs to spend a few hundred New Taiwan dollars to gather a few friends, charter a boat, go out to sea for a party and sing KTV, and experience the feeling of riding the wind and breaking the waves. Taking a yacht out is of course not only about sailing on the water and enjoying the thrill of speed; one can also appreciate the beautiful scenery of the island from different angles from one end of a river or sea, and can also engage in water skiing, diving, or sea fishing, and can even hold a romantic wedding on a yacht, completing the marriage ceremony at sea and creating an unforgettable themed wedding. Anyone can find a yacht experience that suits them.

To promote yacht leisure activities, yachts were also displayed on site at the event, with yacht and sailing associations from various places and yacht manufacturers setting up booths on site to interact directly with the public and share information, as well as arranging wonderful music and dance performances, providing the public with free sailing experience activities and holding a "How to Become a Yacht Enthusiast" yacht forum. From the three major themes of how to enjoy yachts, water activity safety planning, and friendly measures and prospects for yacht activities, through diverse discussion and experience sharing among enthusiasts, government, academia, and the public, a series of yacht carnival activities allowed the public to participate and experience firsthand, driving the trend of yacht leisure activities and giving the public a greater understanding of the diversity and accessibility of yacht leisure activities, thereby making them more willing to take part in yacht leisure activities.