Ms. Cindy Chen, Director of Taiwan Tourism in Bangkok, revealed, "after Taiwan officially opened its border to travelers in October 2022, over 50,000 Thai tourists visited Taiwan. One of the reasons is the 14-day visa-exempt entry program for Thai tourists. There is also such a convenient entry process; tourists are not required to submit a passport vaccination or any other documents. After Taiwan is ready to accept tourists, we decided to launch the 'The Challenge of Unseen Taiwan' campaign, which presents new forms of tourism across 4 dimensions to provide the best experience for travelers. It is expected that by the end of 2023, there will be at least 200,000 Thai tourists traveling to Taiwan."
The 4 dimensions of The Challenge of Unseen Taiwan include:
1) Unseen Festival: Taiwan Lantern Festival - All Around Taiwan
Taiwan Lantern Festival, which changes its event-hosting city and the theme of the event every year. However, in reality, every city across the island of Taiwan has its own mini lantern festival, which allows tourists to experience a whole new different mood. For example, the main lantern festival was held in Taipei with the theme Light Up the Future; however, there was also the Pingxi Sky lantern festival in New Taipei City.
2) Unseen LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability): Cycling in Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the most cyclist-friendly cities in the world. There are cycling routes from beginner level for scenic cycling, mountain biking and international competitions, to around Sun Moon Lake guaranteed by CNN as one of the most beautiful bike routes in the world. There is also a short bike lane such as Bikepath in Puli city, The Jiji Tree Tunnel Biking Trail, or The Shuili Shui'an Biking Trail for tourists to have fun chasing a small train while biking.
3) Unseen Food: Michelin in Every Part of Taiwan
Taiwan is a city that is highly well-known for its food. Taiwan has received Michelin recognitions in over 4 cities across the island of Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Tainan. The highlight lies within a menuless recipe restaurant called "Zhu Xin Ju" at Tainan. The restaurant has no menu. Customers simply inform their budget and number of guests, then the chef will prepare a super special menu guaranteed by the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award.
4) Unseen Culture: Discover Temple Tour
Taiwan has more than 12,000 temples across the island. Especially in southern cities like Kaohsiung and Tainan. Each temple has different gods to worship, such as at the Yanshui Wu Temple where the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival takes place. Taiwanese people believe that the more and the louder the beehive firecrackers are being lighted, the more luck you will receive."
"To add, Southern Taiwan consists of Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Tainan, and Pingtung. The highlights of Southern Taiwan are slow life, clear weather (rains less than in the north), and some culture that still has some influences from the Japanese. Each city has natural and artistic attractions with a lot of activities for tourists to experience. Nowadays, transportation is very convenient. Tourists can fly directly from Bangkok to Kaohsiung via China Airline or Thai Smile."
Ms. Pattheera Anandchotiphatchara, Head of KTC World Travel Service and Travel & Leisure Marketing, "KTC" or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited, stated, "the current travel trend amongst travelers is to prioritize privacy, travel in smaller groups, such as with family and friends, planning trips with less preparation time in advance, solo trips, and choosing to travel in open areas closer to nature. Unseen Taiwan's 4 tourism dimensions really hit the mark, especially LOHAS, a type of tourism that offers both health benefits and preserves the environment simultaneously."
"After Taiwan welcomed Thai tourists in last October, the number of cardmembers who spent via KTC credit cards at airline partners which can be identified as Taiwan travel increased by 118 percent in the fourth quarter. This resulted in a 70 percent increase in the total amount of KTC credit card spending at the aforementioned airline partners compared to the third quarter of 2022 (before tourists were welcomed). Additionally, KTC credit card spending in Taiwan in the past 3 months has grown 14 percent compared to the same period before the COVID period (2019), indicating that Thais still enjoy traveling to Taiwan. As a result, KTC has joined forces with Taiwan Tourism's 6 airline partners, namely China Airlines / Eva Air / Starlux / Thai Smile / Lion Air, and Vietjet, including leading tour operators, in the launch of the special 'Unseen Taiwan' campaign between February 15 to August 15, 2023. Cardmembers receive up to 2,200 baht cash back upon spending through participating merchants or partner websites. The details of privileges are as follows:
Receive 200 baht cash back upon spending 12,000 baht or more / transaction at participating partners with a KTC credit card (limited to 1,200 privileges and registration required according to specified conditions).
1) Receive extra 500 baht cash back upon spending 12,000 baht or more / transaction at participating partners with any KTC UNIONPAY credit card.
2) Receive extra up to 1,500 baht cash back with the redemption of 9,999 KTC FOREVER points (registration required according to specified conditions)
3) Get a chance to win Bangkok-Taiwan flight tickets from participating airlines for top spending cardmembers at participating merchants or partner websites throughout the campaign period (4 lucky winners).
Ms. Kitcharat Nartetamrongsutt from Ratto Wanderlust Taiwan food and travel page, stated, "Taiwan is a paradise for Thai tourists. It's a place full of entertainment, easy travel, and the lifestyle and cost of living are similar to Thailand, such as culture, food, and tourist attractions. This especially holds true and becomes even more interesting after Taiwan presents Unseen Taiwan in 4 dimensions, which lead to the arrangement of exclusive trips in collaboration with KTC World Travel Service that take cardmembers to travel in Taiwan in a way that no one has ever experienced before, such as a Sai Mu or a superstition trip to pay homage to a Buddha image to ask for sacred blessings from the temple famous in different aspects. Also included is the seamless blend with its culture that comes with Taiwan's soft power in food and culture in a unique way."
Moreover, at the "28th Thai International Travel Fair" or "TITF" event being held soon between February 16-19, 2023, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the Taiwan Tourism booth has organized exclusive activities and a number of promotions, including OhBear umbrellas or limited-edition bottle opener cards upon booking a Taiwan tour package from a tour company at a booth within the event / redemptions of fruit coupons and MRT vouchers from Taoyuan to Taipei (1 round) for Free Independent Travelers upon presenting depart-to-Taiwan traveling proof (including flight ticket + hotel booking) / DIY activities such as nail painting with exclusive OhBear designs; lantern paper folding to welcome the Year of the Rabbit; Taiwanese tradition fabric lanterns, and get tourist information from various Taiwan agencies. KTC credit cardmembers also receive a 100 baht discount coupon at the Taiwan Tourism booth applicable on purchases of flight tickets and Taiwan travel tour packages at specially priced rates. Furthermore, get a 100 baht Starbucks e-coupon up to a maximum of 600 baht upon every 4,000 baht spent via KTC card at airline booths and participating tour companies.
For more information, please contact KTC World Travel Service 02 123 5050 or visit www.ktcworld.co.th. To register for a KTC credit card, visit any "KTC TOUCH" branches nationwide or click the link: http://bit.ly/apply-ktc.
Source: Krungthai Card
