Taipei has been named the best leisure destination in Asia again by U.S.-based magazine Global Traveler in its 12th Leisure Lifestyle Awards, the Tourism Administration said Aug. 7.
Lin I-chen, director of the TA’s Los Angeles office, thanked the magazine and its readers in her acceptance speech at the ceremony. She said the award is a result of the concerted efforts across Taiwan’s tourism sector, as well as the hospitality of its people, and welcomed vacationers from around the world to visit the country and take advantage of the government’s various incentives.
According to the TA, the award shows the success of the administration’s “TAIWAN – Waves of Wonder” promotion campaign to establish the country as a top choice for travelers. Taiwan is known for its natural beauty, unique cultural heritage, convenient transportation networks and world-class cuisine, the TA said, citing the country’s 44 Michelin-starred restaurants that offer a diverse array of culinary options as examples of the latter.
The results came from a reader poll conducted between July 15, 2023, and Mar. 8, 2024, by the U.S. magazine that covers a wide range of categories including airlines, airports, cruises, hotels and services. Taoyuan International Airport in northern Taiwan took fifth place in the poll’s ranking of best airports for layovers.
In related news, a survey conducted by the TA shows that travelers from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. spent the most in Taiwan in 2023. In the same year, 6.49 million foreigners visited the country, reaching 55 percent of the pre-pandemic level in 2019. Those from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macao, and Japan accounted for 37 percent, 18 percent and 14 percent of the total, respectively. (SFC-E)
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