Taiwan seeks to attract more US tourists

• By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter

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Taiwan is stepping up efforts to attract US tourists after the number of US visitors surpassed 710,000 last year, with a majority of them visiting for tourism, the Tourism Administration said.

The agency last week led a delegation to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles to promote Taiwan as a travel destination, with members comprising Taiwanese hoteliers, travel agencies and international flight carriers.

The visit would also mark the agency’s return to Chicago after a seven-year hiatus, as it seeks to tap into the US Midwest market.

People listen to a presentation in New York City hosted by the Tourism Administration in an undated photograph.

Photo: Screen grab from the Tourism Administration’s Web site

More than 710,000 US travelers visited Taiwan last year, with nearly 60 percent coming for tourism, the agency said.

Meanwhile, the number of weekly flights between Taipei and 13 cities in North America has exceeded 200 this year, it added.

“This dense flight network has greatly facilitated North American travelers’ visit to Taiwan. That shows that North America has high potential to become a major source of international tourists for Taiwan,” it said.

Agency statistics showed that 42.25 percent of international tourists last year were repeat visitors, reaching a record-high from before the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

To attract more North American travelers, the administration said it is offering incentives for repeat visitors and transit travelers to encourage them to revisit.

Chen Ming-chu (陳明珠), who has hosted the Golden Bell and Golden Melody Awards multiple times, was invited to host the promotional events in the three US cities, it said.

Visitors to the events can try making tea using tea produced in Alishan (阿里山) and watch Taiwanese opera performed by Taiwanese opera singer Tsai Yu-lun (蔡宇倫), it added.

“We want to make a strong impression on travel agencies and mainstream media in the US by highlighting Taiwan as a safe, convenient and fun travel destination,” it said.

“The tours we recommended would allow US visitors to explore various aspects of Taiwan, from traditional markets to Taiwanese-style breakfasts, from restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide to night markets and nightlife in urban areas. All these would present the image that Taiwan is available for tourists to safely explore 24/7,” the Tourism Administration said, adding that Taiwanese tour operators should develop tours allowing tourists exploring Taiwan at night or at dawn.