TAIPEI—The Taiwan government, noting arrivals from Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, is targeting this year 11 million foreign tourists to visit the East Asian state, the most populous nation that is not a member of the United Nations.
In an interview, Taiwan Tourism Bureau media coordinator Jerry Chen, who toured at least seven journalists around some provinces of Taiwan, said to attract more nationals from neighboring countries to visit Taiwan, its government under President Tsai Ing-Wen was opening or even continuing cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to boost its tourism industry.
“[The number] of tourists visiting Taiwan is increasing. It was the first time we reached 10 million tourists in 2016…and right now we are looking forward to have 11 or 12 million people visiting Taiwan,” Chen told the journalists from different Asean countries, in an interview.
Asean, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, was founded in 1967 “to strengthen further the existing bonds of regional solidarity and cooperation.”
From the original five member countries, Asean has grown to 10 members covering more than 1.7 million square miles—over half the size of the continental United States—and a population of 626 million with an economy valued at $2.4 trillion.
Chen said peoples from Asean countries are now starting to be “more aware” about Taiwan’s food, culture and history.
At present, Taiwan is trying to negotiate to ease its visa process for all Asean countries for them to be able to visit the place.
Aside from that, Chen said Taipei is also inviting foreign artists to hold exhibition or promote further its history and culture to attract more foreign travelers to visit Taiwan.
“We wanted to strengthen and continue our ongoing relationship with each [of the] Asean countries,” he said.
Part of boosting its ties with the Asean countries, Taiwan is eyeing to establish tourism offices aside from its consulate in each country.
Based from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau data, the number of Filipinos visiting Taiwan in 2016 increased by 23.89 percent or 172,475.
He said almost all tourists from Asean countries visiting Taiwan have increased, including Thailand, with 57.26 percent growth or 195,640 tourists last year; Vietnam with 34.33 percent or 196,636, among others.
“Neighboring countries are starting to be more aware about Taiwan,” Chen said, adding Taiwan has set up its Tourism office in the Philippines.
So far, through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila, the Tourism office is now opening a cooperation link with several travel agencies in the Philippines to offer affordable tour for Filipino travelers to Taiwan.