The 16th Taiwan-Japan Tourism Summit Forum was held May 30 in Japan’s Tottori prefecture, highlighting commitment to promoting bilateral industry exchanges.
Nearly 200 central and local government officials, airlines’, tourism businesses’ and associations’ representatives, as well as delegates from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association attended the event. It focused on the sector’s future development, discussing topics including high-end market expansion, overseas marketing, sister city cooperation, strategies to attract more tourists and study trip promotion.
Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui said during the event that the TA is working to promote Taiwan’s tourism via digital and sustainable transformation. Japan is one of the most important sources of leisure visitors to Taiwan, he noted, adding that the government plans to attract more Japanese tourists this year by activities such as New Taipei City’s Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and offering discounts on Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets.
Wang Shao-hsun, director of the TA Taiwan Visitors Association Tokyo Office, said that Taiwan is promoting themed travel including cruise, family-friendly and railway trips. The country will also build unique recognizable tour profiles through leveraging soft power such as Hakka and Indigenous cultures and various cuisines.
The forum concluded by the issuing a joint statement, which stated that Taiwan and Japan will incorporate local cultures, nature and food into tourism, while considering environmental protection and economic development to promote sustainability. The 17th edition of the forum will be hosted by Miaoli County in northern Taiwan next year as announced at the end of the event. (YCH-E)
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