Time for Taiwan!

CEBU, Philippines — The Taiwan Tourism Bureau recently brought to Cebu the “Taiwan Tourism Workshop,” enticing travel agents to help in making Taiwan become the Asia’s best tourist destination.

In her speech during the event, Cindy Chen, executive director of Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s Kuala Lumpur Office, hoped for the Philippines and Taiwan’s travel industries to work together in creating diverse travel products, and come up with a win-win situation for both the travel industry and the visitors. Chen said that their bureau was highly focusing on the potential of the Philippine market.

Last year, about 172,000 Filipino tourists visited Taiwan, an increase of 23.89 percent from the same period in 2015. Chen said that from January to August this year, the number has already reached 181,850, an increase 71.37 percent, from the same period in 2016. She attributed the growth to joint efforts by the airlines, the tourism industry and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, as well as media promotion.

The flight time between the Philippines and Taiwan, Chen pointed out, takes less than two hours; and with the relaxation of visa rules, including the project “VISA simplification for high-end group tourists,” it has become more convenient for Filipinos to travel to Taiwan.

Taiwan Tourism Bureau uses the slogan “Time for Taiwan!” to promote Taiwan’s diverse travel products, centered on different themes, including food, shopping and Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS).