Tuesday, March 19, 2024
The Taiwan Tourism Administration made a notable appearance at the Bay Area Travel and Adventure Show held at the Santa Clara Convention Center from March 16 to 17, 2024. Garnering widespread acclaim, the administration’s exhibit, dubbed the “Taiwan Pavilion,” clinched the prestigious “Best In Show 2024” award. The pavilion stood out for its distinctive setup and the array of carefully curated cultural experiences it offered. Highlights included workshops on crafting Paiwan tribe glass bead bracelets, painting paper umbrellas in the style of Meinong’s Hakka community, creating bookmarks adorned with Chinese calligraphy, engaging in the beloved Taiwanese Pinball, and exploring Taiwan through immersive 360 VR videos.
A year after Taiwan reopened its borders, the island witnessed an influx of over 6.48 million tourists in 2023, with almost 530,000 hailing from the United States—marking an 87.52% recovery of the 2019 visitor statistics. Scott Lai, the Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, underscored the enhanced air connectivity contributing to this surge. Notable developments included United Airlines initiating daily flights, STARLUX Airlines launching San Francisco routes, and EVA Air and China Airlines maintaining 21 and 9 weekly flights respectively. This bolstered the weekly direct flights from San Francisco to Taipei to 51, signifying the high interest from Bay Area travelers and marking Taiwan’s robust return to the Northern California travel scene.
Cathy Hung, the TTA’s Deputy Director in San Francisco, spoke about the innovative amalgamation of local assets into 17 “Tourism Unions” to spotlight the distinctive allure of Taiwan’s various locales. The northern part of the island, through the Crown Coast and the Great Northeast Tourism Unions, reveals its geological marvels and the intrinsic bond between the land and its inhabitants. Meanwhile, the south, via the Kaohsiung and Pingtung Tourism Unions, promotes engagements with agricultural practices, craft-making sessions, temple explorations, and tea-centric meditation, all reflecting the symbiosis of culture and nature. With a commitment to eco-friendly practices, the Taiwan Pavilion at the travel expo boasted a design utilizing recycled corrugated cardboard, highlighting iconic landmarks like Yehliu’s Queen’s Head and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung, and representing Taiwan’s diverse attractions.
The event presented attendees with exclusive travel deals, a dive into Taiwan’s rich cultural and gastronomic offerings, consultations on the latest Taiwan Pass benefits, assistance in planning trips, and chances to win round-trip Premium Economy tickets to Taipei, courtesy of China Airlines, EVA Air, and STARLUX Airlines. The Formosan Dance Crew’s performances on the Global Beats Stage brought Taiwan’s vibrant and hospitable essence to life through pop dance routines.
In an effort to motivate more Americans to visit Taiwan, Deputy Director Cathy Hung highlighted the Taiwan Pass, introduced by the TTA as a new perk for international tourists in 2024. Priced at NT$2,500 (around US$80), the pass offers unlimited 3-day access to the Taiwan High-Speed Rail, metro services, and a choice of tourist shuttles to Cingjing, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, or Kenting, facilitating a seamless and enriching exploration of the island.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
