The Taiwan Tourism Bureau Information Center was inaugurated in Mumbai recently by Dr Trust Lin, director, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Singapore Office. The office is located in the TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) Taipei World Trade Center Liaison Office in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai.
The inauguration was attended by His Excellency Chung-Kwang Tien, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India. It was also announced at the inauguration that a Taiwan booth will be installed at Mood Indigo, Asia’s Largest Cultural Festival in Mumbai from December 27 to 30 where the popular Taiwanese Dance Group T.S.D will be performing as well at the event. Announcements were also made regarding two major events coming up in Taiwan – the Lantern festival from February 19 to March 3 and the Flora Expo which is from November 3, 2018 to April 24 2019.
In 2017, 35,000 visitors travelled from India to Taiwan; and January 2018 showed a 19.79 per cent increase over the same period last year; while March 2018 showed a 16.60 per cent growth over the same period last year.
Taiwan is the number No.2 cruise destination in Asia. Last year there were one million cruise passengers to Taiwan and the destination is working closely with Singapore, Hong Kong and other Asian countries to further enhance this segment. The focus of TTB going ahead this year will be on HNIs and the top layer of the market that believes in experiential travel and the messaging and advertising will be focused on them.
“In the last quarter of 2018 and in 2019, from the India market we will be conducting increased B2B and B2C activities such as advertising, joint promotions, marketing activities, FAM trips for the media and the trade, roadshows and educational seminars, joint marketing promotions apart from participating in trade exhibitions across India to bring awareness among travel agents, the media and consumers about Taiwan as the perfect destination. We will also be focusing on specialised segments such as Golf etc to drive growth from the top layer of the Indian market,” commented Dr Lin.
Indian passport holders can enjoy visa exempt entry into Taiwan for 30 days via an online system.The applicant must have at least one of the following valid or expired visas issued by UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand or any of the Schengen countries.