Outbound

India on Taiwan Tourism Bureau's radar

Chetan Kapoor - Taipei

Realising the spending power of the Indian outbound travellers to South-East Asia, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has its eyes set on the Indian market. Speaking to a select contingent of travel agents and media at a recently held FAM tour to Taiwan, Kwang-Shoung Chao, deputy director (International Affairs Division), Taiwan Tourism Bureau said, "At present, we have very few Indian visitors, however we aim to open up to the Indian market in the near future as they have a very high disposable income."

At a meeting with the travel agents, Chao discussed the problems which could be faced by Indian travellers, along with the ways and means to promote tourism in the land of over a billion people. At present, only China Airlines and EVA Air fly directly to Taipei from Delhi and Mumbai respectively, and the tourism bureau is hoping for an increased cooperation with airlines flying to Taiwan from India for the Indian outbound.

The bureau is expected to have a marketing and advertising budget of US$ 2 billion in the coming year, through which it plans to target India, Thailand and the Philippines for adventure, shopping, food, heritage and spiritual tourism.

During the course of the meeting it was also revealed that Cheng, Ying-Huei, section chief (International Affairs Division) for the tourism bureau would be in charge of the Indian market and would prepare a plan in the coming months on how to tap the lucrative Indian market, which would include road shows and inter-promotional activities with airlines flying on the Indo-Taiwan route.