Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation Holds Travel Exhibition in Silicon Valley

The Taiwan Tourism Administration, a unit of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China, participated as one of the exhibitors at the Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show, the largest travel and adventure exhibition in Northern California, held in Santa Clara County in Silicon Valley from March 15th to 16th last weekend. The event, organized by nearly a hundred travel agencies and companies, attracted tens of thousands of visitors who came to explore, inquire, eat, drink, and have fun.

During the event, on March 15th, the Taiwan Tourism Administration held a press conference at the Taiwan Pavilion, where the Director of the Taiwan Representative Office in San Francisco, Lai Ming-chi, delivered a speech. He highlighted three key points of pride for Taiwan tourism: the delicious Taiwanese cuisine, the country’s exceptional safety, and the convenience of traveling in Taiwan.

In an interview with The Epoch Times, Director Lai Ming-chi enthusiastically elaborated on Taiwanese cuisine, emphasizing its unforgettable taste that even after serving in the United States for over 24 years, he still misses. He also pointed out the excellent safety in Taiwan, ensuring visitors can explore the night markets without any safety concerns. Additionally, he mentioned the convenience of transportation in Taiwan, where one can travel from the north to the south in just about two hours by high-speed rail. Taipei boasts the best public transportation system, making it easy to get around. With over 12,000 convenience stores in Taiwan, shopping for customers is extremely convenient.

When asked about the number of international tourists Taiwan receives annually, whether summer is a peak season, and if English-speaking tourists might face language barriers, Director Lai Ming-chi revealed that Taiwan welcomed over 700,000 visitors from North America last year, mainly from Canada and the United States. He expected even greater growth this year and assured that Taiwan is fully prepared to welcome tourists. Taiwan is a year-round tourist destination, offering different landscapes in different seasons, including famous spots like Sun Moon Lake, Yangmingshan, Alishan Scenic Area, and hot springs in rural areas during winter. The majority of Taiwanese people are proficient in English, so tourists need not worry if they get lost as locals will provide friendly assistance.

The Taiwan Pavilion at the exhibition featured partners such as China Airlines, EVA Air, Starlux Airlines, Mango Tours, EWorld Tours, offering consultation and limited-time discounted flight tickets for visitors.

To add excitement to the event, a raffle was held where the prize was round-trip tickets from San Francisco to Taipei, which received enthusiastic applause from the visitors!