The Classic Tribal Tourism Project Office, an agency of the Taiwanese government, is leading its first-ever showcase at ITB Berlin, in a bid to raise the profile of Taiwan’s 16 ethnic groups of local tribes among European travellers.
James Leu, president of Classic Tribal Tourism Project Office, told TTG Asia that while the destination is such a small one, it has a rich diversity of local tribes that co-exist well with the modern world while maintaining their traditional lifestyles.
The tribes boast their own culture, language, customs and social structure.
“Besides visiting iconic sites and sights in Taiwan, like Taipei 101, travellers can easily build a day trip or a two-day tour of a local tribe into their overall itinerary,” said Leu, noting that Europeans typically spend 10 days or more touring different parts of Taiwan.
“They can enjoy local food culture, learn about artisanal craft, participate in traditional dances, and savour serene and picturesque landscapes across Taiwan’s mountainous and coastal regions,” he added.
Leu also pointed out that European travellers, who increasingly seek meaningful travel, would appreciate the tribes’ enduring regard for ecological and sustainable development as well as the opportunity to take their tourism spend directly to local communities.
In HsinChu County, for example, travellers can join the Atayal tribe in hunting and cooking local dishes, while in Hualien County, they can immerse in the life of the Amis and Bunan tribes, taking on activities such as lover bag-weaving and climbing trees.
As an organisation that supports Taiwan’s indigenous tribes, Classic Tribal Tourism Project Office takes on the promotion mantle and helps connect international travel trade buyers with 20-plus qualified travel agencies that specialise in tribal tours as well as many other suppliers in this niche tourism space.
