Direct air links crucial as Taiwan pushes secondary destinations

hualien-taiwan

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) aims to develop more off-the-beaten path destinations in an effort to woo more international visitors.

Currently, Taichung, Tainan and Hualien are some of the more popular locales. According to a TTB spokesperson, Hualien rose in prominence thanks to chartered flights from Hong Kong by China Airlines this summer.

Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF Taipei) chairman C.T. Su stated that the goal is to lead tourist traffic out of Taipei into central and southern Taiwan. He said: “We have already developed gateway cities in Kaohsiung, Taoyuan and Taichung with international flight links. Other locations like Yilan and Hualien have potential too.”

The first international scheduled flight to Hualien, operated twice-weekly by HK Express, is set to take off on December 6, linking the county directly with Hong Kong for the first time.

Said HK Express director and CEO Andrew Cowen: “We have been wanting to connect Hong Kong and Hualien for a long time. It is located just over an hour from Hong Kong and the coastal city has so much to offer in terms of outdoor adventure, cuisine and culture. We have no doubt the flight will see insatiable demand.”

Managing director Danny Wong of Hong Kong-based Pan Asia Tourist & Study Tour International, said: “I joined ITF Taipei’s fam tour to Taichung this year. I reckon Nantou, Changhua and Chiayi are places Hong Kong people are not aware of. More promotions are needed for these areas, especially Taitung and Hualien.

“Airlines play a pivotal role. For instance, Taichung is popular but it is hard to get flights as only China Airlines, Cathay Pacific and HK Express operate the route.”

Team leader Paek Sang Hun from South Korea’s Go-On Travel, said: “North Taiwan comprises most of our itinerary but I see potential with Yilan as it’s close to Taipei.”

He added: “We pushed Kaohsiung last year but the number of bookings have dropped this year and we have no idea why. Taipei remains the key city because the central part of Taiwan is not easy to access while Kaohsiung is pretty far.”

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