Taipei 101 replica boosts Taiwan-Japan tourism

2015/10/06

A model 1/25th the size of Taiwan’s Taipei 101 was unveiled Oct. 4 at Tobu World Square in Nikko, Japan, representing a collaborative initiative to boost tourism between the two countries.

Standing 21 meters, the replica is among a 101-strong lineup of globally renowned landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building in the east Japan amusement park.

Christina Sung, chairwoman of Taipei 101 operator Taipei Financial Center Corp., said the permanent display is sure to spur visitors’ curiosity in the real thing and bring more Japanese tourists to Taiwan.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to promote the world’s tallest green building and ensure its architectural merits are appreciated by a broader audience,” she said. “The structure is not just a Taipei City landmark, but a legacy of Taiwan culture.”

Taipei 101 is a member of U.S.-based World Federation of Great Towers and features in tourism-related campaigns with 37 other members in more than 20 countries and territories.

Sung said the TWS tie-up further underscores the building’s international appeal. “In addition, it marks the strength of three-year partnership between Taipei 101 and Tokyo Skytree—the tallest skyscraper in Japan and also operated by Tobu.

“This undertaking involves total spending of NT$100 million [US$3.1 million] over the six-month period of construction,” she said, adding that costs were fully funded by the Japanese side in appreciation of Taiwan’s assistance during the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 in northeastern Japan.

According to statistics by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan-Japan tourism exchanges are going from strength to strength.

In 2014, Taiwan welcomed 1.63 million Japanese tourists, up 15 percent year on year and ranking Japan No. 2 on the country’s inbound tourism list. Local travelers also consider the northeastern Asian nation their second favorite destination, making 2.97 million trips in the same year.

“The promotion is set to capitalize on this trend and further bolster tourist visits between the two nations,” Sung said.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=237389&ctNode=2194&mp=9)