Aussies and Kiwis are flocking to Taiwan. From January to July 2024, the number of tourists from Australia and New Zealand to Taiwan showed a month-on-month growth trend, with a total of 69,598 visitors, reaching 95.36 per cent of the pre-pandemic level in the same period of 2019.

To further promote Taiwan and attract more visitors, the Taiwan Tourism Administration, along with government agencies, travel agencies, airlines, and performing groups, put on a promotional roadshow in Brisbane (26 September).

The evening events drew significant interest from local industry participants.The welcome address by Kuanchu Chen, chief of the International Affairs Division at Taiwan Tourism Administration, highlighted the new Taiwan Tourism Brand 3.0, “TAIWAN–Waves of Wonder,” which centers on the year-round appeal of Taiwan.

By combining a wide array of tourism products with captivating activities, the campaign seeks to accelerate bilateral exchanges and ignite a surge in visitors to Taiwan. Wu Yun-Jen, director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Brisbane, Australia, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that Taiwan is an island rich in diverse landscapes, natural ecology, and cultural heritage.

Visitors can experience a range of traditional festivals, religious customs, and ethnic cultures. Regardless of age or interests, Taiwan warmly welcomes friends from all over the world. Wu expressed confidence that once people have visited Taiwan, they will want to discover even more of the island’s wonderful beauty.

The events featured a series of engaging hands-on experiences and cultural performances, including:

1. The creation of Tiger Lord pendants that blend temple culture with art, representing the lively atmosphere of Taiwanese festivals.

2. Coasters’ assembly activity inspired by the craftsmanship of Taiwan’s national treasure woodwork expert, Chen Huang-Hui. The activity allowed participants to appreciate the beauty of traditional Taiwanese architecture.

3. The making of floral tile brooches that embodied the blessings of Taiwan’s historic homes.

4. A captivating indigenous thread-ball-making workshop.

5. A song and dance performance by the Amis tribe, giving AUNZ industry participants an up-close experience of Austronesian culture, deepening the cultural connection between Taiwan and Oceania.

Travel enthusiast Théa and New Zealander singer Laurence Larson were invited as event ambassadors. They shared their Taiwan experiences, highlighting the island’s diverse tourism resources and highlighted their irresistible reasons to visit Taiwan.

The events also featured prizes, including round-trip tickets from Australia to Taiwan sponsored by China Airlines and EVA Airways. The Taiwan Tourism delegation wrapped up its Australian promotional roadshows in Brisbane on a resounding high, surpassing expectations with overwhelming enthusiasm for Taiwan’stourism offerings.

The roadshows not only unlocked new market potential for Taiwan’stourism sector but also forged robust partnerships between Taiwanese and Australian tourism operators, paving the way for future collaborations.

Building on this momentum, the Taiwan Tourism Roadshow is set to captivate New Zealand in Auckland on September 30. This upcoming event promises to further fuel interest in Taiwan’s unique experiences, unlocking fresh opportunities for the island’s tourism industry to flourish