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By Chen Yu-fu and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer
The Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council last week organized a six-day tour of southern Taiwan for Hong Kong travel influencers to promote tourism exchanges.
The council was commissioned by the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China to host 15 Hong Kong influencers from Monday to Saturday last week, during which they visited popular attractions and social media hotspots in Pingtung and Kaohsiung.
The group visited the seaside in Kenting and Taiwan proper’s southernmost point, touring Hengchun Old Town (恆春古城) by tricycle, and exploring Fangliao Rainbow Railway Art Village, the King Boat Cultural Museum in Donggang Township (東港), Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Cijin old street in Kaohsiung and the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts.
Photo courtesy of the council
The group also took part in chocolate-making activities and sampled local specialties, including indigenous cuisine and Wanluan pork knuckles.
DEEPENING TIES
Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Lee Li-jane (李麗珍), who also serves as a board member of the council, said the council has since its establishment in 2010 been promoting economic and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Hong Kong to create mutual economic benefits and enhance cultural vitality.
Tourism has been one of the council’s key focus areas, she said, adding that Hong Kong is Taiwan’s second-largest source of international visitors and has a high rate of repeat travelers.
By inviting Hong Kong influencers to experience southern Taiwan firsthand, the council hopes to encourage more people from Hong Kong and Macau to explore Taiwan’s natural scenery and cultural heritage, Lee said.
General Chamber of Commerce chairman Paul Hsu (許舒博), who also serves as vice chairman of the council, said the council has since 2023 been inviting Hong Kong influencers to visit Taiwan and share their experiences online.
Taiwan’s hospitality and rich local culture make it an attractive destination, Hsu added.
BOOMING TOURISM
The nation saw 8.57 million international visitors last year, including more than 1.31 million travelers from Hong Kong and Macau, accounting for about 15 percent of total arrivals, he said, adding that the council plans to organize a delegation to visit Hong Kong later this year to further deepen exchanges.
Tourism Administration Deputy Director-General Huang He-ting (黃荷婷) said the agency is developing Taiwan’s international tourism brand through two campaigns — “Peaks and Summits Along the Tropic of Cancer” (北迴之巔) and “Smiling Southern Taiwan” (微笑南灣).
The agency is also to launch a new tourism promotion program that would provide incentives for independent travelers and tour groups visiting Taiwan, she added.
Hong Kong travel experts are welcome to experience Taiwan’s local culture, lifestyle, and societal resilience through sustainable tourism, Huang said, encouraging them to share these emerging destinations and travel stories back home to attract more repeat visitors.
Hong Kong is Kaohsiung’s second-largest source of foreign tourists after Japan, Kaohsiung Department of Tourism Deputy Director-general Chung Chih-yuan (鍾致遠) said.
Kaohsiung is promoting an incentive program for international group travelers, he said, adding that the city would continue expanding cooperation and exchanges with Hong Kong.