Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote tourist visits to Taipei, the Dept. of Information and Tourism has dispatched troops to Berlin to take part in ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show, which kicked off 10 March. The city’s newest travel products and rich resources will be placed on display for the benefit of Europe-region travelers and media. According to the Ministry of Transportation and Communication’s Tourism Bureau, a total of 4,395,004 travelers visited Taiwan in 2009, an increase of 14.3% over 2008. Among those listing “sightseeing” as their primary reason for coming, the number of German and French tourists grew to more than 30 percent. In light of the economic turmoil in which the entire globe is now mired, these are outstanding results for the Taiwan travel market.
The Dept. of Information and Tourism has always been well aware of the difficulties in promoting such an intangible product as tourism. In light of this recognition it has endeavored without cease to promote both the quality and awareness of Taipei City’s premium-grade travel draws. Emphasis has been placed on “special festival celebrations” and the integration of the travel and related industries, working together to create innovative travel products. Via an operational model focused on diversification that brings the tourism and the cultural-creative industries together, the distinctive character and the tremendous abundance that Taipei offers are being broadcast and achieving renown near and far.
To give the world a good look at us is our desire, says the Dept., and to have the world change the way it looks at Taipei and to start beating a path to our door is our ultimate goal. To achieve this, this year ever bolder strides are being taken in the international arena and large-scale festival activities of myriad type created. High-impact “movie marketing” is carrying the message of Taipei’s many beauties and delights around the globe this year. From the nostalgic retrospective Monga to Au Revoir, Taipei, which recently won the Best Asia Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, quality “made in Taiwan” films are successfully burnishing the Taipei brand abroad.
At this year’s Berlin travel show the Taipei City Govt. will be using the upcoming Taipei International Flora Expo as its main publicity theme. The latest expo news and special merchandise will be placed front and center for the interest of European travelers. According to the Dept. of Information and Tourism, gardening and horticulture are favorite pastimes in Europe, and with limited growing seasons and flora resources the Europeans have achieved great originality in terms of flower design, introducing key new flower markets and critical concepts. The Berlin show will be a rare and precious exchange opportunity to display the special characteristics and creative originality of the Flora Expo for the European theater, inviting all European travelers to be in town for the Expo to enjoy this unique extravaganza of natural beauty.
The city govt. has prepared an exciting array of souvenirs and preferential travel offers to present at the Berlin meet. In concert will be the promotion of Au Revoir, Taipei, with attractive movie mementoes to be given away at the event to visitors showing an interest in our fair city.
Taking advantage of ITB Berlin’s status as a flagship European trade show, the Taipei City Govt. has planned a special “Flora Expo Promotion Booth,” preparing detailed introductory materials for dissemination and a wide-ranging lineup of gift articles. All those participating in the related promotional events to be staged will be eligible to take away one of these fine limited-quantity 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo gifts and Au Revoir, Taipei keepsakes, certain to infect this year’s Berlin show with the fascinating charms of Fun Taipei!
*For more information regarding this press release (in Taipei)
Ms. Yu Ling Chueh, Taipei Department of Information & Tourism:
1999 (in Taipei City) or +886-2-2720-8889 ext. 3369