�j�O����\�|-Lonely Planet Co-founders Tony & Maureen Wheeler
�D�j�Q�ȰӤu��ƳB�N�� �ؾA�� ���� �P�����Z
Mr & Mrs Wheeler, Ladies and Gentlemen, �����A���j�a�s�~�ּ֡B���ߵo�j�]�A�٦����H�`�ּ֡C
I would like to welcome you all to today's Boomerang Luncheon.
ACIO initiated the Boomerang Luncheon Series to enable a better understanding of Australia in Taiwan through the visits of eminent Australians. Recent speakers have included: world renowned palaeontologist and geologist Prof. Vickers-Rich, Chief Executive of Opera Australia Mr Adrian Collette. Today, with the support of Taipei International Bookfair Foundation, we are very pleased to have Mr & Mrs Wheeler as our speakers today during their first visit to Taiwan.�@
Like many others who enjoy travelling, I am also an investor in Lonely Planet travel guidebooks. Mr & Mrs Wheeler launched Lonely Planet in Australia in 1973 after completing a year-long adventure across Europe to Australia. Due to incessant questions from would-be travellers, they compiled their journey notes and launched their first travel guide. An instant best-seller, they decided to make travel their life-long career and have since received numerous awards for their contributions to the world of travel. Lonely Planet’s range has expanded to over 20 series sold in over 200 countries in 7 major languages. We are pleased that Linking (�p�g)Publishing Company in Taiwan has published Lonely Planet guidebook in Chinese and are currently available in major bookstores, and the first one published was the book on Australia.
Australia has always been a popular destination for Taiwanese tourists. Our office has issued approximately 100,000 visas every year, working holiday makers to Australia has reached 6,000. We will be working very closely with Tourism Australia to attract more Taiwanese to visit Australia more than once. We also hope through the visit of Mr & Mrs Wheeler to Taiwan, it may attract more visitors to this beautiful island of Formosa.
Through today’s luncheon, we aim to provide a platform for you to have a lively conversation and a much more intimate exchange with our speakers.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr & Mrs Wheeler.