Taiwan allocates $600 thousand for tourism promotion

CEBU, Philippines — The Taiwan tourism department is spending US$600 thousand to market its country to the active Filipino travelers.

Before the end of this year, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau targets to attract at least 400 thousand Filipinos to experience the “Heart of Asia” Taiwan, said Abe Chou, the Bureau’s director for Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei.

Chou led the group of Taiwanese tourism promoters in a workshop held in Cebu for Cebuano travel agent companies, to further introduce Taiwan to Cebuano market, especially now that country Visa-free.

Last year, only 290 Filipinos were recorded to have visited Taiwan when travelers were still required to get a visa before visiting Taiwan.

Now that Visa-free requirement for Filipinos is extended until middle of next year, Abe said more and more Filipinos are expected to visit Taiwan.

Cebu in particular, where direct flight availability is increasing, Chou said promotional budget is also being put here.

The entry of more low cost carrier in the Philippines, including Cebu encouraged more Filipinos to travel abroad, added Chou.

The Bureau held a 2-day exhibit event in Manila last October 13-14 dubbed “2018 Taiwan Travel Fair” participated by six airline companies.

The Taiwan government’s visa-free measures for Philippine nationals have been extended to July 32, 2019.

From January to August this year, the number of visitors from the Philippines reached 285,819, an increase of 57.17 percent over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Cebu has also been observing a growing number of Taiwanese travelers.

The Department of Tourism (DOT-7) noted a 69.75 percent growth of Taiwanese tourists in Cebu.

According to DOT-7 regional director Shalimar Tamano, Taiwanese nationals are one of the fastest growing foreign tourists in Cebu.