The group is packing their summer clothes and the final check is complete. All systems go - you are flying to Taiwan tomorrow. Suddenly, you receive a dreaded message that a typhoon is coming toward the island within the next few days. What to do now? Will the whole event come apart? This question is vital especially to all meeting planners organizing incentive trips to Taiwan. So let's talk about how typhoons affect business meeting planning in Taiwan.
Tropical cyclones or typhoons are severe storms that occasionally affect Taiwan, usually during the summer season from July to October. During this period, strong winds may pick up and heavy rains shower the island rasising concerns about event safety during this period. On average, typhoons pass over Taiwan 3-4 times a year. The chances of them to affect your event are small, but remember that not all tropical storms qualify as typhoons and those that are not still can become a major hurdle in your big outdoor adventure. So, if you plan to hold a business meeting in Taiwan during the summer, here are some tips that will help you to better prepare for typhoons and all tropical storms that may be coming your way:
Check the Central Weather Administration (CWA) website
Central Weather Administration (https://www.cwa.gov.tw/eng/) is the official weather agency in Taiwan. On its website you will find the latest and most accurate updates about the current weather around the island. The weather forecasts are prepared and disseminated through the website every 6 hours using real-time meteorological data. The CWA website also offers advice on the suitability of outdoor activities such as mountaineering, beach sports or cycling - all of wich are popular activities for MICE groups in Taiwan. It is the best source of information about tropical storms threatening the region, often tracking multiple storms brewing and displaying their possible paths. During typhoons, the Taiwanese news stations will actively broadcast and offer constant updates of expected landfall. Notification alerts are also broadcasted to registered mobile number users island-wide to inform the public of potential adverse weather conditions. Keeping tabs on the weather forcast is a great way of assuring event safety in Taiwan.
2. Keep your plans flexible
Since most of the events are planned months in advance it rarely is possible to postpone the program a few days in hope for better weather. When designing your itinerary remember to leave some room for unexpected changes. We are happy to suggest alternative indoor activities and help to clarify with the hotel what amenities can be enjoyed without venturing outside. The hotels in Taiwan are used to an occasional typhoon slamming at their walls and perfectly safe. If you want to see a true marvel of typhoon-proof engineering, look no further than the Taipei 101 and its famous mass damper. A sudden change of plans may be a great excuse for a slower day in a hotel in a very busy itinerary. In fact, for most of the MICE events in Taiwan typhoon means business thanks to the great hotel infrastructure we enjoy.
3. Plan for the worst (before) and expect the best (after)
So is the summer really such a bad time to organize a business meeting in Taiwan? The typhoon warnings issued by the government should be treated seriously as it is dangerous to be caught by one outdoors. The places that should be especially avoided is the immediate coastline which can be battered by strong winds and the mountainous areas prone to rockslides and mudslides. So please ask your group to sit this one out and relax in the hotel pool, okay? They are in for a treat when they do come here in the summer: The best thing about typhoons is that they only last for a day or two and after one passes, you may expect several days of excellent weather. The air is clear and free of humidity and the skies are blue. Very often, the period right after the storm is the best time to enjoy the island’s outdoors. That said, it is also when the soil is the most loose, so all hiking and mountain activities are not advised.
As you see, hosting your event in Taiwan during the typhoon season is still perfectly safe as long as you take the necessary precautions. Nothing beats employing a respectable Taiwanese DMC that will keep you up to date with the best times to oragnize meetings and incentives in Taiwan. Taiwanlook is committed to delivering a unique and safe event experience for all our guests. We always advise our clients about any changes in weather conditions and help to design contingency plans for their events. Contact us for more insider knowledge on all things Taiwan and its best itineraries, regardless of the weather forecast.