Having an unlimited budget or being one of the "budget travelers"? there's something for you. The variety of packages offered at the fair can only exceed your imagination.

"Facing the M-shaped society, many travel agencies introduce packages with giveaway prices and extravagant luxuries to fit all the possible needs of visitors," said a press release from Taiwan Visitors Association, the organizer of the fair since 1987.

M-shaped society is a term coined by the Japanese economist and corporate strategist Kenichi Ohmae. The notion suggests a polarized society with the extreme rich on the top tips and the extreme poor on the lowest tips. This is one of the effects brought by globalization.

One expression of this is that some visitors can only buy a NT$4,399 package for a 3-day trip to Hong Kong, while some can afford a NT$29,900 deal for two people, to visit Hong Kong and stay in a newly-built 5-star hotel with all the luxury it offers.

Hong Kong has been a popular tourist destination for Taiwan visitors. According to Hong Kong Tourism Board, the number of leisure tourists to HK grew by 2.6%, while business travelers descended by 16%, in the period January to August this year.

Group discounts are offered by almost every travel agency. A package for two is always more of a bargain than that for one, since many of the offers introduce 25% price off if two people buy the package together. In addition, free gifts usually go with group orders.

Domestic travel unaffected

County governments in Southeast Taiwan show great enthusiasm participating in the 2009 TITF, despite the damage left by Typhoon Morakot this August. A total number of 22 cities and counties in the region, including Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Tainan, Chiayi, and Taitung, that were the most devastated areas, are here at the fair with a variety of travel packages.

"Southern Taiwan has recovered itself for tourists," said the press release, "this is the common message 22 local administrations would like to deliver."

Hotel owners introduce discounts on accommodations, dining, leisure activities, and give away gifts such as free admission to tourist attractions and 3C products. There are so many ways to control your budget while getting great deals. From 30% off to even 70% off from the original prices, the fair presents many tempting offers for visitors to choose from.

Fair attractions

Besides looking for the best deal at the fair, this year'存 visitors can enjoy Indian dances on the stage as well as at the India Pavilion, in addition to Jump Shows at the Korea Pavilion, which is a performance of traditional Korean Kung-fu and tae kwon do(kickboxing).

When you pass the Thailand Pavilion, don't miss the dance performance of the Sabun-Nga Group, who also performed in last year'存 ITF. Dancers dressed in Thai costumes perform with both folk and modern music. The repertoire this year has been updated with more cultural elements, according to a press release from the Tourism Authority of Thailand'存 Taipei Office.

The Thailand Pavilion also has two masseuses standing by for visitors who might feel tired after a long walk through the exhibition hall.

Lucky draws remain an eye-catching activity of the fair. Hundreds of prizes include air tickets to Europe, accommodation coupons from various hotel, and shopping coupons. Remember to put your entry ticket in the boxes.

A mobile guide service has been launched for visitors to download the map and information on the pavilions a week ahead of the fair. So they can plan a route in advance and focus on certain pavilions they are interested in.