Originally Posted by
star_world
jpatokal is correct. Historically it was very difficult to do businesses in both countries simultaneously. Look at the airline industry for example - flights to Taiwan by most of the major European airlines used to be operated by a separate subsidiary in order to keep the Chinese govt. happy. This changed about 10 years ago, slightly more, and obviously now the situation is a lot different. The profitability angle is the most likely one today.
I would say the airlines are a special case since the government ownership or flags are involved (and in the case of Japan, the extreme fear of China). KLM, BA, AF, NH, JL and QF all had their baby carriers flying to TPE. Some EG/EL are still going today.
For regular businesses, this has not been the case for at least 20 years. Marriott opened its first hotel in Asia in 1989 (HKG). It was playing catch-up (compared to Hilton and Sheraton). I think TPE is just low on the list - at one point, they did try it:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m..._7/ai_55142994 - but the numbers just don't look good.
With a lot of Taiwanese businesses moving to China and inbound tourism not getting much stronger, I don't think it is an attractive hotel market.