Taiwan’s hosting of 138 international conventions in 2010 saw the country climb nine places to finish 23rd in the latest global congress and convention list, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs May 17.
The annual rankings, produced by the Amsterdam-based International Congress and Conference Association, saw Taiwan outpace Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia to claim fourth place in Asia. Japan, mainland China and South Korea occupy the top three spots, the MOEA said.
“The nation’s strong showing is due to the Taiwan MICE Overall Implementation Project, which was launched by the Bureau of Foreign Trade in 2009,” an MOEA official said. “The project aims to promote Taiwan as a top MICE destination through subsidies, global marketing and talent cultivation.”
The list also confirms Taipei as the No. 2 convention city in Asia with 99 events, up 55 percent from 2009, passing Beijing, Seoul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Singapore remains in top spot with 136. In the global rankings, Taipei improved to 11th from 25th the year before.
Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City, Hsinchu City and Hualien City made the list for the first time, coming in at 22nd, 45th and 48th, respectively, in Asia.
According to the Taipei-based Taiwan Convention and Exhibition Association, close cooperation between the public and private sectors is also responsible for Taiwan’s improved performance in the list.
“Taiwan is capitalizing on its reputation as a modern and friendly country with reasonable prices and an abundance of natural beauty,” the association said. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw