Following the success of Taiwan Tourism Administration’s promotional events in Melbourne and Brisbane, the industry body took the roadshow to Auckland, New Zealand, on September 30.
The event gathered local government representatives, travel agencies, airlines, and other stakeholders to showcase Taiwan’s diverse tourism resources and cultural performances. A total of 60 New Zealand travel professionals attended.
To meet the demand of the Southern Hemisphere’s travel peak starting in December, China Airlines is scheduled to offer additional limited-time flights between New Zealand and Taiwan from December 3, 2024, to February 16, 2025. This move is expected to boost the number of New Zealand visitors to Taiwan.
In her opening remarks, Chen Kuan-chu, chief of the international affairs division of the Taiwan Tourism Administration, noted the Administration had launched a new 3.0 version of its tourism brand in May, under the slogan “TAIWAN – Waves of Wonder.” With the tagline “Surprise After Surprise,” it emphasizes the unique charm of Taiwan’s year-round tourism. Whether visitors seek outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or shopping and culinary delights, Taiwan promises unexpected surprises for Australian travelers. To give participants a deeper understanding of Taiwan, the delegation brought a rich variety of traditional cultural experiences, captivating indigenous performances, and introductions to the latest tourism products, aiming to inspire industry partners to fall in love with Taiwan.
Kendra Chen, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland highlighted that from January to July 2024, 9,433 New Zealanders visited Taiwan, representing a recovery to 89.1 per cent of the visitor numbers in the same period in 2019. This demonstrates the growing interest of New Zealand travelers in Taiwan. Additionally, the increasing frequency of cultural exchanges between Taiwan and New Zealand, particularly through shared Austronesian cultural ties, underscores the deep historical connections between the two regions. These exchanges not only promote cooperation in culture, tourism, and economic affairs but also serve as a vital bridge for strengthening bilateral relations. Now is the perfect time to rekindle Taiwan-New Zealand exchanges!
The promotional event yielded outstanding results, with a series of hands-on cultural experiences and performances receiving rave reviews. Participants enjoyed creating Tiger Lord ornaments, inspired by Taiwan’s temple culture and festive atmosphere. They also had the chance to assemble window coasters based on the craftsmanship of national treasure master woodworker Chen Huang-hui, showcasing the beauty of Taiwan’s traditional architecture. Attendees crafted floral tile brooches symbolizing blessings from Taiwan’s old houses, bringing home a piece of Taiwan’s cultural heritage. Additionally, the Amis people offered a delightful demonstration of traditional yarn ball crafting and captivating performances, allowing New Zealand attendees to experience the vibrant indigenous culture of Taiwan up close. The enthusiastic response and lively atmosphere made the event a resounding success.
