Taiwan’s Taitung County targets markets of inbound tourists; 1,000 visitors expected from Singapore in 2024 as promotions in the city state and Malaysia bear fruit

(From left) Tung Chen-yuan(童振源), Taiwan government's representative to Singapore, Chan Guat Cheng(曾月清), executive director of Chan Brothers Travel, Liu Yu-peng(劉玉鵬), General Manager of Hua Yoa International Travel Service Co. Ltd., and Yao Ching-ling(饒慶鈴), magistrate of Taitung County at the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on promoting the coastal southeastern Taiwan county as a tourist destination for Singaporeans. (Photo: Business Wire)

TAITUNG, Taiwan--()--As part of the Taiwan County of Taitung’s efforts to promote tourism in the overseas market, Magistrate Yao Ching-ling(饒慶鈴) has led a delegation on a tour to Southeast Asia, during which Hua Yao International Travel Service Co. Ltd., a Taiwanese firm operating in Singapore, and Chan Brothers Travel, the city state’s largest tour operator, signed a memorandum of cooperation. With Yao and Dr. Tung Chen-yuan, (童振源) Taiwan’s envoy to Singapore, as witnesses, the document was signed Jan. 19 and the two sides agreed to bring 1,000 Singaporean visitors to Taitung in 2024.

In order to attract more overseas travelers, the Taitung County Government has actively worked with domestic and foreign companies to hold promotional events since COVID travel restrictions were lifted in late 2023.

Following a presentation in Kuala Lumpur, the delegation of county officials and business owners went to Singapore, where they called on the country’s top three travel agencies and held another event, attended by Dr. Tung, head of the Taipei Representative Office in Singapore, and Cheng Chih-hung, director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration’s office in the Southeast Asian country.

Taitung looks forward to welcoming friends from Singapore to experience the county’s unique, leisurely tempo, said Yao. “Our land in Taitung is rather clingy and I highly recommend a slow and thorough visit so that you can really feel what it’s like to be there.”

In addition to subsidies from the Tourism Administration, Yao announced more incentives, including an extra bonus, effective on Feb. 1, for tour groups which stay at least two nights in Taitung. What’s more, the first 100 visitors from Singapore who come to Taitung with the help of a travel agency and who are eligible to receive incentives for travel to Taitung in 2024 will receive a gift box of sugar apples. Applicants will need to register on line*.

Chan Guat Cheng, executive director of Chan Brothers Travel, said that Taitung has been a favorite destination for Singaporean travelers because of its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful scenery and indigenous culture. The county has full potential to become Taiwan’s most suitable place for leisurely travel, she said, so her company will prioritize related tour packages this year to meet the goal of bringing 1,000 visitors to Taitung as early as possible.

Prior to the activities in Singapore, a presentation was held in Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 15 to brief Malaysian tour operators on travel incentives as well as highlights including leisure farms, Instagram-worthy spots, local festivities, indigenous cuisine and halal-certified restaurants, etc.

*Note: Limited supply beginning on Feb. 1, 2024. Please apply at: https://www.tttravel.org/

Contacts

Jela Hung
Taitung County Government, Taiwan
w3047@taitung.gov.tw

Contacts

Jela Hung
Taitung County Government, Taiwan
w3047@taitung.gov.tw