International tourism to Taiwan rebounds ahead of schedule

2023/12/19

Taiwan welcomed its 6 millionth visitor this year Dec. 15 at Taoyuan International Airport with two weeks to spare on the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Administration’s goal for 2023.
 
The lucky arrival was Tan Chong Lim from Singapore, who has been to Taiwan three times before. On this trip, he intends to make his first visit to the majestic Alishan National Scenic Area in the southern county of Chiayi and Taroko National Park in the eastern country of Hualien during his eight-day stay.
 
During a special ceremony at the airport, the Singaporean tourist received four air tickets from Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan as incentive to return yet again, as well as the first Taiwan Pass, stamps and hotel vouchers from MOTC Minister Wang Kwo-tsai, along with other gifts worth NT$100,000 (US$3,193) from the TA.
 
Scheduled to launch Jan. 1, 2024, through the TA, the Taiwan Pass is a convenient digital pass issued by local governments to offer fascinating tours, useful guidance, and coupons for food, accommodations and shopping. Four different areas will be available on separate Taiwan Pass cards: Taichung, Kaohsiung, Taitung, and the northern region cities of Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung.
 
According to Cheng, this year has been critical in promoting tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic. Ministries and agencies were asked to propose relevant initiatives, which he said yielded such possibilities as an undertaking aimed at boosting trips following meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions put forward by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ International Trade Administration.
 
The government will continue to work with businesses to enhance service quality and raise the return rate of international tourists to accelerate the recovery of Taiwan’s tourism industry, Cheng added.
 
Following the ceremony, the TA hosted a lucky draw of 200 Taiwan Passes for inbound tourists. More activities will be held in the country’s international airports to give away a total of 1,000 passes, the TA said. 


Source: Noticias de Taiwan (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)