To actively cultivate the international tourist market, the Ministry of Transportation and Communication Tourism Administration, Taiwan, in addition to focusing on the main markets of Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, is now also targeting the significant consumer markets of Indonesia and India as important new expansion points. Following the establishment of the “Taiwan Tourism Information Center in Mumbai”, India’s largest economic city, on February 7, 2024, the Administration invited ten travel agencies specializing in incentive travel to Taiwan from June 20 to 25. This marks the first post-pandemic group, aiming to “prioritize the short-term development of the MICE market and target the mass market in the long term” through a phased marketing strategy.
To seize the opportunity for Indian businesses to visit Taiwan, the Administration also organized a “Taiwan-India Tourism B2B Networking Session” on the 24th, attracting about 15 businesses from travel agencies, hotels, and the tourism and leisure industry. The atmosphere at the event was very lively, facilitating face-to-face interactions and business connections between Taiwanese and Indian tourism professionals.
The Administration highlighted that India is the world’s most populous country, with approximately 40,000 Indian tourists visiting Taiwan annually before the pandemic. With its rapidly growing economic strength and diverse culture, the “new wealthy class” and “business traveller segment” are highly promising and valuable markets. This year’s visitor numbers are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Through this inspection and exchange meeting, Indian businesses gained a deeper understanding of Taiwan, laying the foundation for strengthened cooperation between Taiwanese and Indian tourism industries. It is also hoped that direct flights between the two regions will resume soon, making travel between Taiwan and India more convenient, comfortable, and economical.
The itinerary for this first group focused on Yilan, allowing Indian businesses to experience Taiwan’s rich, local, and diverse tourism resources and reception quality. Highlights included visits to Toucheng Farm for rural life and eco-tourism, the National Centre for Traditional Arts to appreciate Taiwan’s nostalgic cultural heritage, historical sites, and traditional architecture, and enjoying the beautiful mountain and sea scenery of the Northeast Coast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area. During their stay in Taipei, the group also visited the secret passage of the Grand Hotel and experienced retro costume changes in Dadaocheng.
The Indian businesses were impressed and gave positive feedback, indicating plans to develop travel products, enhance promotion, and send more tourists after returning to India. The Administration will maintain contact and seek further cooperation opportunities. In the second half of the year, more invitations will be extended to Indian businesses for inspections in central and southern Taiwan, such as exploring the beauty of Taichung’s mountains, seas, and cultural areas, experiencing the tourism charm of Kaohsiung, and assessing the natural and cultural resources of Hualien and Taitung. The Administration continues to welcome enthusiastic Indian friends to experience Taiwan’s unique charm and continuous surprises.
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