Chaiwan = China + Taiwan
A New Joint Economic Power

CHAIWAN, a brand new term created by media, linking the two sides of Taiwan Strait--- CHINA + TAIWAN = CHAIWAN!

Well, you may say that “Chaiwan” is merely a concept invented by the foreign media, the most influential South Korean “CHOSUN ILBO” (朝鮮日報) coining “Chaiwan” to describe the most powerful joint economic force of Taiwan and CHINA, especially in the IT industry

South Korea IT industry was once the TOP in Asia, during the first quarter of 2009, Taiwan's LCD industry racked up a 56% share of the Mainland China market; it reduced South Korea's market share from 46% 2008 to less than 30% 2009. Mainland Chinese placed all the LCD orders to Taiwan ONLY and helped Taiwan IT industry to grow in strength even under such a difficult global recession period. More than that, Mainland China is going to “LIGHT UP” Taiwan’s IT industry with a special project “TEN CITIES TEN THOUSAND LED LIGHTS”(十城萬盞), where some 21 cities in China will buy MIT(made in Taiwan) LED to be their street lights. This will certainly create a 70-80 billion NT business and is due to be in process very soon in this coming October.

The intensive exchange activities cross the Taiwan Straits will generate $7000 billion economic stimulus package to both sides, according to the media’s speculation. And Taiwanese travelers are enjoying the most convenient and fast way of visiting Mainland, going to Beijing, Shanghai or Chongqing is sometimes much easier than flying from Taipei to Kaohsing as more flights daily or weekly. Also the very busy visiting tourism projects of China and Taiwan making these two sides of the Taiwan Strait the hottest destination to each other. More direct flights, less and less restrictions, bigger and bigger tourism promotional activities making “CHAIWAN” a REAL power not only in IT business but in every category! Of course, cross-Strait cooperation has led to some solid and fruitful results though; yet the two sides have still differences, disagreements, even conflicts existing... It might be good to keep cross-Strait relationship neither too hot nor too cold; being cautious is always essential!
So get to know the new word “CHAIWAN” and sincerely hope that the “CHAIWAN” joint power will lead to a better future with peace and prosperity!

So, CHEERS, CHAIWAN!

Saying in time: "I love YOU!"

A STORY FOR MOTHER'S DAY




I received this story from a friend and felt very touched, so I would like to share with all friends, and I would also like to thank the author who taught us a very nice lesson:

The importance of saying in time: "I love YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.



BEING A MOTHER

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman Loves you and would Love to spend Some time with you."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
"What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. "I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded "just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting."

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.

After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half-way through the entrees, I lifted my eyes and saw mother sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.

"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice, much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Sometime later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but, nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me.

"I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I love YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till some "other"
time.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby... Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal" is history.

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first... Somebody doesn't have two or more children.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.... somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten….
Or on a plane headed for military "boot camp"

Somebody said a Mother can stop worrying after her child gets married...
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in- law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home... Somebody never had grandchildren. .

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... Somebody isn't a mother.

This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating the people in your lives while you have them... No matter who that person is!

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes...your destiny.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Taipei Mayor Hau is Now "Rotarian DRAGON"

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-Bin Became

“Rotarian DRAGON”


At Taipei Rotary Club

(Photo by Bernard Bordenave)
Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-Bin was inducted by the most well-known Rotarian in Taipei –Dale Holmgren on Thursday, April 16th at THE ROTARY CLUB OF TAIPEI and became the “Rotarian Dragon”!

THE ROTARY CLUB OF TAIPEI was born on October 9, 1948, is the mother club in Taiwan and the ONLY English-speaking Club in the Metropolitan Taipei area.

Starting with 28 members, Taipei Club currently now with 70 active members and 21 honorary members - the Ambassadors/Representatives of the many countries in Taiwan--including President Ma Ying-Jeou, who was also inducted by P.P. (Past President 1973-74) Dale Holmgren, who is believed to be the most well-known and most influential American businessman in Taiwan who has lived in Taipei for over 50 years. Dale started as an hotelier, GM of the Beverly Plaza, and now he is key person to many important organizations including Skal International, Rotary International and MASONS(a Past Grand Master).

The world's first Rotary Club was formed on 23 February 1905 by Attorney Paul P. Harris in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He wished to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth, the name "Rotary" derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices.

Rotary's popularity spread throughout the United States in the decade and by 1921, Rotary clubs had been formed on six continents. ROTARY International is an organization of business and professional men and women united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary has now grown throughout Taiwan to over 530 Clubs with over 18,500 Rotarians. There are over 150 clubs in the Taipei Area alone.

Spa Lady Windy is honored to be invited as guest speaker of THE ROTARY CLUB OF TAIPEI on this special day and talked about the hot spring and SPA in Austria and Hungary, many diplomats attended the special lunch meeting on Thursday, April 16th at the Formosa Room of Caesar Park Hotel (old Taipei Hilton) including Hungarian Representative Mr. Bela LASZLO, Turkish Representative Muzaffer EROKTEM, Denmark Representative Flemming Aggergaard; and a VIP from Rotary International—Director Julio Sorjus together with many local Rotary VIPs also joined and made April 16th the significant day of THE ROTARY CLUB OF TAIPEI. http://www.rctaipei.org.tw/

ITB 2009 World Travel Trends Report

Economic Downturn To Create
New Winners and Losers in Travel

Internet bookings will surge. Demand for online virtual meetings will gather pace. Domestic travel will stay stable or grow, as will demand for low cost flights. Destinations adjacent to big travel markets will do not so bad. Long haul travel will fall sharply. And the most pain will be felt in the business travel and MICE sectors.

Those were the predictions for 2009 unveiled by IPK International’s CEO Mr Rolf Freitag, in an ITB World Travel Trends Update at the ITB Convention in Berlin on March 11.

Based on 500,000 travel interviews in 58 countries around the world, IPK delivered a wide-ranging forecast. In the predictions, IPK suggested that 2009 will see travel declines in most markets, with 2010 neutral and small growth likely in 2011 and 2012.

Mr Freitag said: “We’re in a full global economic crisis, not a small recession. Consumer greed of the last few years has turned into consumer fear.”

IPK’s travel interviews suggest that 40% of Europeans will change their travel plans due to the economic crisis. Some 66% of Europeans and 60% of Asians plan to change. Mr Freitag said this change would mean they likely to switch to domestic travel, travel for shorter periods of time, choose cheaper destinations, or spend less while on holiday.

European and North American markets will be more adversely affected compared to other regions of the world. IPK predicts that China, India and all of Latin America will record GDP and travel demand growth, even in 2009. However, those growth figures will be smaller than the precedents set over the last 10 years.


Mr Freitag pointed out that over 50% of global travel demand emanates from Europe. Within Europe, in 2008, the Russians, Dutch and Poles recorded much higher than average travel rates.
However, the strong devaluation of the Russian rouble and Polish zloty suggest that such strong performances are unlikely to be repeated in 2009.

While Turkey, USA, Austria and UK all received strong growth in arrivals numbers from European travellers in 2008, IPK predicts they are unlikely to do so again this year.

In households that earn more than 20,000 Euro a year, travel will remain a high priority, according to IPK. However, households earning less than 20,000 Euro are much more likely to adjust travel plans towards cheaper and / or domestic trips.

Mr Freitag pointed out that travellers are increasingly using the internet, not just to find information, but to book and pay for holidays. The internet as a travel tool will continue to grow in 2009.

To help them face the economic downturn, which is likely to go on longer than previously predicted, Mr Freitag said companies should reduce costs, go on a price cutting offensive, enter into partnerships with the public sector, communicate new attractions more aggressively and intensify e-marketing and e-sales initiatives.

Companies with good asset security can take advantage of low interest rates to borrow money and invest for the upturn which will eventually come.

ITB Berlin and ITB Berlin Convention
ITB Berlin 2009 will be taking place from Wednesday, 11 to Sunday, 15 March, and will be open to trade visitors from the Wednesday to the Friday. Parallel with the trade fair, the ITB Berlin Convention will be taking place from Wednesday, 11 to Saturday, 14 March 2009. For full programme details click on

http://www.itb-convention.com/

The Best Travel Fair in Central Europe – actb

actb - A Strong Brand Enters its Second Year

The actb, the austrian and central European travel business, Austria’s biggest tourism trade fair will be staged for the second time at Messe Wien in Vienna, January 25-27.

Lively exhibitor demand
The relaunch of the event in 2007 may have been accompanied by a dose of skepticism, but demand for stands at the actb’s second edition shows that the fair has already established itself as a fixture on the tourism trade fair calendar. This year 338 stands were rented against 302 in 2007, reflecting the positive reaction to the addition of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia as exhibiting nations. Exhibitors from Tyrol in particular are a prominent presence with thirty-eight stands.
Demand on the buyer side has remained stable. This year 852 buyers from 58 countries and 173 journalists from 40 nations will visit the actb.

Petra Stolba, chief executive officer of the Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) states “the actb’s second year with increased demand for stand space is eloquent confirmation that the relaunch is a win-win situation for all, and I am confident that this year’s actb will prove a terrific success”.


UEFA EURO 2008™
The 2008 actb also has a theme of extraordinary appeal: the UEFA European Football Championship™. The event is being promoted in co-operation with the host cities, provincial tourism organizations, Switzerland Tourism, and Intersport at the “Euro Zone”. Here visitors can put their dribbling prowess to the test on a special course. The kick-off follows the press conference on January 28 at about 11:00 am. Nicola Watzinger, a player in the Austrian Bundesliga and spokeswoman for the Vienna Tourist Board, will set the record to beat or match. The winner takes home two tickets for the finals in Vienna.The opening evening in Vienna’s Rathaus revolved around the biggest sporting event in Austria’s history: the UEFA European Football Championship™. Christian Schmoelzer, Tournament director Austria for UEFA EM 2008™, brought the Henri Delaunay Trophy, the actual UEFA European Football Championship™ cup, along to the gala, and underscored the close relationship with the Austrian host cities—Innsbruck, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, and Vienna.
Petra Stolba expressed her anticipation proclaiming, “we have the chance—indeed the responsibility—of presenting ourselves as friendly and enthusiastic, in short, the perfect hosts”. Enthusiastic too was audience’s applause for the spectacular “We Will Rock You” show based on the music of pop group “Queen” that the Vienna Tourist Board staged at the evening gala.

Coming attractions: Linz and Haydn 2009
Linz, “European City of Culture” in 2009, and the Haydn anniversary the same year are both just around the corner after the football frenzy. Interest was great among actb-participants after pre-convention tours to Linz and locations associated with the life of the great composer in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland. A third pre-actb tour was dedicated to football and Salzburg: the city of Salzburg and provincial tourist board inviting those taking part to a “Football Festival for Europe”.

Innovations at the actb
This year’s actb brings with it a number of innovations: For the first time the fair is taking place in the attractive Hall A of Reed Messe. And for the first time too smoking has been banned in the entire exhibition venue with the exception of the cafés. Apropos cafés: there are no fewer than three Austrian cafés at the actb—the Linz09 Café, a cozy Salzburg alpine chalet, and the Imperial Austria Café run by Schönbrunner Tiergarten GmbH. The actb’s central European partner lands invite fair visitors to relax at Café Gerbeaud, Café Ljubljana, and Café Czech Republic.


Another new feature is the joint press conference to be held by the Danube Tourist
Commission, and the actb’s partner countries, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. The central theme of the international press conference will be the impact on tourism of Schengen Zone enlargement.

Hospitality suites are more appealing and attractive too: this year for the first time a
congenial Viennese Heuriger, or wine garden, will put guests from around the world in the mood for a holiday in Austria with Weingut Wolf staging a culinary journey through “Wineland Austria”. Other hospitality suites are “Feel Slovenia” at Naturhistorisches Museum, a night of “Imperial Clubbing & Joseph Haydn 2009” in the Piaristenkeller, and “Spot (Light) Night” at Arcotel Wimberger, while Kursalon Hübner presents “Strauss meets the Seventies”.

Additional information about actb can be found at
www.austriatourism.com/actb and
http://www.actb.eu/

15 Japan Healing Onsen Ryokan & Hotels for YOU

Healing Onsen for YOU!



For your information, the cover story of TravelCom Monthly 2008 December Issue (行遍天下12月號) entitled “Healing Onsen for YOU” is written by Spa Lady Windy . (22 pages, P.P. 50 to 71)

The word “Onsen” & “YOU” both mean “hot spring(溫泉)” in Japanese.


Immersion in water, particularly a large Onsen hot tub, whether it be outdoor or indoor gives one a feeling of buoyancy and fitness. I am not alone in this feeling. Archimedes himself, demonstrated to the world, that through displacement of water, upward motion and other reasons too complicated to go into here, the weight of an object, even a human body, is only one tenth of its starting weight once it is submerged in water! So, no matter how large or ungainly you feel on dry land, you will feel transformed in the tub! The ugly duckling can become a beautiful swan.

As you prepare to enter the hot spring, you place your belongings and shed your clothes into a bamboo basket for safekeeping. Likewise your worries, burdens, ties and sorrows are cast aside and you enter the bath with a body, mind and soul that are free from care and concern. Free to think and reflect without the shackles of daily problems. When you retrieve your belongings, you often find some of your troubles have been left behind in the basket!



Without these worries your mind is free to think and to be creative. I am often inspired to write when I am in Onsen. Likewise, many renowned Japanese writers penned some of their more famous works after a trip to the tub. Bathing in ‘Onsen’ appears to have inspired many to write hundreds of creative and absorbing stories that find a place on the family bookshelf.

Spa Lady prepared 15 Japan Healing Onsen Ryokan & Hotels for YOU, please do enjoy!

Open Table and Relais & Châteaux Signed Online “Quality Supplier”

Open Table and Relais & Châteaux
Signed Online
“Quality Supplier”

Relais & Châteaux and OpenTable Europe have signed a “Quality Supplier” agreement to allow efficient online booking operations at their 480 of the world’s finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries.

The first technology partnership for Relais & Châteaux, this relationship enables the association to provide its members with a solution to streamline their operations and provide a real-time restaurant reservation service for their guests. The announcement follows OpenTable’s recent milestone of seating more than 3 million diners in the month of May at restaurants through reservations booked through the OpenTable network.

For more than fifty years, Relais & Châteaux has championed gastronomic innovation as an integral part of its philosophy. With its collection of the world’s finest restaurants and small hotels, the association has become synonymous with haute cuisine. The OpenTable system is already being used by a number of distinguished Relais and Châteaux properties around the world such as Daniel, GästeHaus Klaus Erfort, Jean-Georges, Johann Lafer’s Stromburg, Le Bernardin, Per Se, Residenz Heinz Winkler, Restaurant Toqué!, and The French Laundry.

"This partnership reinforces our continued commitment to ensure our guests are privy to excellent service,” said Jacques-Olivier Chauvin, CEO of Relais & Châteaux. “Through our relationship with OpenTable, our member restaurants will now have access to a premier reservation and guest management solution and their guests will enjoy the convenience of booking their restaurant reservations online”.

Relais & Châteaux member restaurants will now be able to offer OpenTable real-time restaurant reservation capabilities from their websites, giving guests the ability to make online reservations at a collection of fine restaurants. In addition, OpenTable will draw on its experience working with approximately 8.500 restaurants worldwide to provide the members of Relais & Châteaux excellent service in both restaurant reservations and guest management.

David Pritchard, Managing Director, Europe and Senior Vice President, OpenTable, Inc. said, “OpenTable and Relais & Châteaux value excellence, both in terms of solutions for the restaurateur and service for the restaurant guest. Through this partnership, we look forward to serving the association’s member restaurants — helping them leverage the OpenTable system to streamline their operations and provide their guests with the convenience of online reservations.” (Tuesday, October 28, 2008)

OpenTable Europe為首屈一指的餐廳訂座及賓客管理軟件供應商，隆重宣佈與擁有全球56個國家480間尊貴酒店和餐廳成員的Relais & Châteaux簽訂「Quality Supplier」協議。

此為Relais & Châteaux的首次科技合作項目，有助組織為成員提供可提高營運效率的方案，及為賓客提供實時餐廳訂座服務。OpenTable近日錄得破紀錄數字，在5月份共有超過300萬名賓客透過OpenTable的網絡進行餐廳訂座；隨著創下新里程碑，是次與Relais & Châteaux的合作可謂錦上添花。

逾50年以來，Relais & Châteaux一直以推動美食創新為己任。配合旗下全球最優秀的餐廳及精品酒店成員，組織早已成為烹飪藝術的同義詞。目前，OpenTable系統已應用於部分Relais & Châteaux的著名物業成員，其中包括Daniel、GästeHaus Klaus Erfort、Jean-Georges、Johann Lafer’s Stromburg、Le Bernardin、Per Se、Residenz Heinz Winkler、Restaurant Toqué!，以及The French Laundry。

Relais & Châteaux行政總裁Jacques-Olivier Chauvin表示：「我們一直致力為賓客呈獻非凡的個人化服務，而是次合作便進一步加強這項承諾。透過與OpenTable合作，我們的餐廳成員將可獲得頂尖的訂座及賓客管理方案，而成員的賓客亦可尊享於網上訂座的便利。」

Relais & Châteaux 的餐廳成員可於他們的網頁加入OpenTable實時餐廳訂座功能，讓賓客享用一系列精緻餐廳的網上訂座服務。此外，OpenTable憑藉與全球約8,500間餐廳合作的豐富經驗，將為Relais & Châteaux的餐廳成員在餐廳訂座及賓客管理兩方面提供頂級服務。

OpenTable, Inc.歐洲區執行總監暨高級副總裁David Pritchard表示：「OpenTable與 Relais & Châteaux在構思餐飲企業方案及賓客服務兩方面，均竭誠做到最好。透過這次合作，我們期待為組織的餐廳成員呈獻優質服務──以OpenTable系統協助他們提高營運效率，並為其賓客提供網上訂座的便捷。」

Relais & Châteaux簡介
Relais & Châteaux網羅全球56個國家480間尊貴的獨立酒店和餐廳，於1954年在法國成立，旨在透過挑選出眾而別具風格的服務企業，向全球宣揚其獨特的「生活的藝術」。此外，Relais & Châteaux亦雲集了全球酒店企業家和主廚，共同傾注熱情，致力為賓客提供出色而和諧的服務；Relais & Châteaux這個品牌，正是對難忘感官體驗的禮讚。由加州三藩市葡萄園Napa Valley，至印尼峇里海灘；由法國普羅旺斯的橄欖樹林，至南非的小棧，Relais & Châteaux均帶領賓客踏上快樂之途，在各有特色的目的地尋探獨特之境。Relais & Châteaux 的口號，充分反映出其抱負：
「遍佈全球，特立全球。」