The Attractiveness of Taiwan as a Bicycle Tourism Destination: A Supply-Side Approach

Abstract

This study extends the existing literature by identifying a list of determinants of destination attractiveness that has broad applicability to bicycle tourism and examining the attractiveness of Taiwan as a bicycle tourism destination. Using the analytic hierarchy process method, comfortable climate, segregated bicycle facilities and road surface and pavement are the most important determinants of attractiveness of a bicycle tourism destination. A panel of experts commented on the relative attractiveness of bicycle tourism in Taiwan and Japan, and concluded that it is important for both central and local governments in Taiwan to ensure that the provision of grocery and convenience stores is available along all of the designated bicycle routes. The study concludes that bicycle tourism in Taiwan has a promising future; however, concerted effort will be needed to match its competitors in the Asia-Pacific region.

Keywords:

• Taiwan
• bicycle tourism
• a supply-side approach
• destination attractiveness
• analytic hierarchy process (AHP)

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the National Science Council of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for financial support of this research under contract numbers NSC100-2628-H-258-001.