Seoul, June 14th – The 36th Korea-Taiwan Tourism Exchange Conference was held with great success, bringing together key figures from the Korean and Taiwanese tourism industries. The conference aimed to explore balanced methods of mutual exchanges between Korea and Taiwan in the post-COVID era and achieve the target of 3 million Korea-Taiwan mutual exchanges. The event was jointly hosted by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and the Korea Travel Association, and it witnessed the participation of representatives from both countries’ travel industries.
The conference, which took place from the 13th to the 15th of this month, brought together nearly 70 delegates from Taiwan’s travel industry, including Director-General Chang Hsi-chung of Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation Tourism Division, along with Chairman Ye Jui-lan of the Taiwan Tourism Association. On the Korean side, more than 120 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Travel Association, gathered to discuss strategies for fostering mutual exchanges and cooperation.
The Korea-Taiwan Tourism Exchange Conference has a long-standing tradition, dating back to its inception in 1974. Since then, it has been held alternately in Taiwan and Korea each year. Notably, the 2022 conference marked a significant milestone as it became the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries during the COVID period. This meeting highlighted the deep friendship and the importance of exchanges between Taiwan and Korea.
Taiwan’s rapid growth since the opening of its borders has positioned it as an attractive destination for Korean tourists. In the first quarter of 2023, Taiwan welcomed 148,000 Korean visitors, securing its position as the top destination for Korean travelers. The Taiwanese delegation included representatives from various sectors, such as the Council of Agriculture, Jilong City, Taipei City, Nantou County, Chiayi County, Pingtung County, Yilan County, Longjing County, as well as domestic travel agencies, hotels, and airlines.
During the conference, discussions revolved around the theme of “International Tourism Resumption Strategy for Achieving 3 Million Mutual Exchanges between Korea and Taiwan.” The three main topics of focus were strategies for activating the Korea-Taiwan tourism market, promoting themed tourism, and formulating tourism strategies for local cities. Taiwan highlighted its diverse tourism offerings, including cruises, railways, and art festivals, showcasing its attractive ports, natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Taiwan expressed the hope that more Korean travel industry professionals would develop and expand tourism products in Taiwan, attracting a greater number of Korean tourists and allowing them to delve deeper into Taiwan’s beauty.
Director-General Chang Hsi-chung emphasized that the 36th Korea-Taiwan Tourism Exchange Conference was a significant milestone achieved through the continuous efforts of past conference chairs to promote tourism exchanges and reciprocal visits between the two countries. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Korea Travel Association and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau for their contributions. To further enhance tourism cooperation, joint efforts were made by Korean group travel agencies and Taiwanese land-based travel agencies to accelerate the attraction of international tourists. Additionally, a promotional event titled “Taiwan, the Lucky Land” was launched, offering a subsidy of 5,000 Taiwanese dollars to independent travelers. The event has received enthusiastic participation from Koreans, showcasing the growing interest in visiting Taiwan.
The conference marked another step towards the shared goal of achieving 3 million mutual exchanges between Korea and Taiwan. Looking ahead, it was announced that the 37th Korea-Taiwan Tourism Exchange Conference in 2024 will be held in Chiayi County, Taiwan, raising expectations for a successful reunion in Taiwan.
With the Korea-Taiwan Tourism Exchange Conference fostering robust cooperation and paving the way for increased exchanges between the two nations, the future looks promising for the tourism industries of Korea and Taiwan, as they continue to strengthen their bonds of friendship and mutual prosperity.
By Jungchan Lee/Korea Travel News
