Tourism Bureau starts global tour to promote travel to Taiwan

Tourism Bureau officials are on their way this week to travel fairs in Singapore and India as they begin a new worldwide campaign to promote tourism in Taiwan based on the slogan "Taiwan -- The Heart of Asia."

Chiang Ming-ching, a bureau division chief, said Tuesday the year-long campaign was being launched in the two countries because of the timing of their travel fairs and because they represent a cross-section of markets -- mature Singapore and emerging India.

The bureau hopes to build up stronger connections with the local tourism sector throughout southern Asia and will target vacationers in Singapore and business travelers in the Indian market.Aside from the new slogan, the worldwide campaign will also highlight a milestone reached this year by the Republic of China, Taiwan's formal country name.

"We'll take the chance to promote travel to Taiwan based on the concept of the country's centennial anniversary at each of our global stops this year, " Chiang said.Chiang said several promotions revolving around the number "100" are on the drawing board, including one that would give discounts to any group of travelers whose combined age is 100.

Driven mainly by growth in tourists from China, Taiwan's tourism posted a 26 percent increase in overseas visitors last year, with foreign arrivals topping 5.56 million.The bureau hopes its initiatives will help draw 10 million visitors per year within 3-5 years.

Source = focustaiwan.tw