Addressing the media at a recent press conference in Mumbai, Frances Chung-Feng Lee, Deputy Representative, TECC, and Noel Saxena, Country Head, Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB), Representation Office in India revealed the bureau’s efforts this year, and their plans for 2013 to increase awareness about the destination. According to Saxena, Mumbai and Delhi are still Taiwan’s strongest source markets in India, and hence the focus of their initiatives will still be these two cities. However, he added, the tourism board will look at reaching out to other metro cities as well as select tier II cities in 2013 through roadshows and participation in trade exhibitions. Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Bengaluru will be on the cards, he added. The Bureau’s Chennai visa office is slated to open in December 2012.
Taiwan witnessed 24,800 Indian visitors in 2010, which increased to 24,850 in 2011. To further increase these numbers in 2012 and 2013, the TTB is in talks with the DGCA to start Air India flights between the two countries. Taiwan has also allowed free entry to Indians holding US, UK and Schengen visas, among others. Saxena further revealed that the Bureau is working with Cathay Pacific and Hyatt Hotels Corporation to design packages which will tie in Hong Kong and Thailand with Taipei.
Saxena stated that TTB will be working closely with the travel trade over the next few months. “Our aim over the next one year will be to create awareness, both among the consumers as well as the travel trade. Apart from rigorous advertising, we are planning B2B events and tie-ups with the travel trade for the sale of the destination. We are also planning a specialist training programme for later. In the last quarter of 2012, we will conduct a B2B workshop in Mumbai, and will also organise familiarisation trips for the media and trade during the month of September,” he said.
Lee stated that Taiwan is trying to position itself as a MICE destination. “We have the infrastructure in place, and several incentive packages designed, with great offerings for large corporate groups,” she added. Saxena divulged that the Bureau plans to tap the Bollywood market and possibly rope in an ambassador from the film fraternity.
