Agency Survey Taiwan July 2002, Taiwan downturn, Economic problems have had an adverse effect on the language travel market in Taiwan, with the majority of agents reporting fewer student bookings in 2001.

Economic problems have had an adverse effect on the language travel market in Taiwan, with the majority of agents reporting fewer student bookings in 2001.

Top destinations		Most popular courses

USA 42% UK 23% Australia 17% Canada 5.5% France 4% Others 3.5% Singapore 3% New Zealand 2%		Intensive 32% Summer vac. 30% General 19% Academic prep. 9% Exam prep. 3% Language plus 3% Business 2.5% Other 1.5%

Reasons for language travel		Age range of clients

Studies overseas 58% Pleasure 24% Current work 14% Studies at home 4%		19-24 37% 25-30 28% 16-18 16% 12-15 10% 31-50 5% 8-11 4%

How do agencies recruit clients?		How do agencies find new schools to represent?

Word of mouth 33% Website 23% Press advertising 22% Other 10% TV/radio 6% Mailshots 6%		Workshops 36% Other 24% LTM/ETM 16% Press advertising 10% Lang. fairs and expos 10% Internet 4%

Percentage of agents who recognised each of the following organisations

Australia EA 63% IDP 38% Canada Capls 25% CSLP 13% Pelsa 0% CEC Network 25% France Souffle 13% Ireland MEI~Relsa 0% Malta Feltom 0% New Zealand EdNZ 75% Fiels 13%	Portugal AEPLE 13% Spain Fedele 0% Ole 0% UK ABLS 13% Arels 75% Baselt 0% British Council 88% USA AAIEP 50% UCIEP 38% Accet 13% CEA 13% Europe Eaquals 0% International Ialc 13%

Market growth
Overall, 88 per cent of our agent respondents reported a decrease or stagnation in student bookings in 2001, with individual agents reporting a reduction in business of between 10 and 47 per cent. Bookings were down by an average of 7.8 per cent in 2001, which reflects a further deterioration of the market since last year's Agency Survey (see Language Travel Magazine, July 2001, page 16), when bookings for 2000 fell by 2.8 per cent overall.

Student trends
The majority of students enrolling on language courses were in their twenties, with 65 per cent of agency business concentrated in the 19-to-30 year old age range. This age range was also reported as showing the most promise for the future by agents. June, July and August were the busiest times for students to study overseas, with a slight peak in January, February and March. Fifty-four per cent of our respondents' business was generated by individuals, while group bookings made up 45 per cent and bookings from business executives just one per cent.

Language and destination trends
English language courses were by far the most popular choice, making up 91 per cent of our agents' overall business. French courses made up a further four per cent of bookings and German and Spanish claimed one and two per cent respectively. The USA is still the most popular destination, although its popularity declined in 2001 as it accounted for only 42 per cent of the market share, compared with 58 per cent in 2000. This trend was noted by one of our respondents who said that Australia and Canada were winning market share as the USA's declined.

Agent role
Overall, 77 per cent of our agents' clients knew which country they wanted to study in before seeking advice, while only 26 per cent knew which town or city they required and 16 per cent had an idea about the school they wanted to go to. After consultation, our respondents estimated that a significant 77 per cent of clients changed their mind about the country, 23 per cent chose a different city and 26 per cent revised their choice of school.

Forecast for 2002
Respondents were divided about the future, with 50 per cent of respondents expecting a small increase in business over the next year in line with the recovery of the economy. However, others predicted stagnant student bookings or a decrease in business.