Following in the footsteps of local celebrities who boast a high profile in Japan, including professional baseball player Yang Dai-kang and actress Lin Chi-ling, Fukuyama will help promote Taiwan’s abundant tourism resources to the people of Japan, bureau Deputy Director-General Liu Hsi-lin said.
By leveraging Fukuyama’s popularity in Japan, Liu said, it is expected there will be an increase in the annual number of 4 million tourist visits between the two countries.
Fukuyama said of the things that impressed him most about Taiwan, the delicious food, distinctive landscape and friendly people were real standouts.
According to the bureau, this sentiment is widely echoed by the Western media. In January Taiwan ranked 11th on The New York Times list of 52 places to go in 2014 on the strength of its diverse cultural activities, street food scene and natural wonders. U.S.-based travel guide Jaunted also named Taiwan as a prime tourist destination Feb. 24, citing its ease of access, convenient navigation and family friendliness.
With the increase of international flights to Taiwan and the country’s growing gourmet fame, Jaunted predicts Taiwan’s popularity and appeal among tourists to continue climbing. (YHC-JSM)
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