TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced on Friday (May 31) that the government is committed to promoting cross-strait tourism based on principles of mutual respect, dignity, and shared prosperity.
Speaking at the opening press conference of the Taipei Tourism Exposition (台北國際觀光博覽會, TTE), Lai emphasized the goal of achieving sustainable tourism and restoring the pre-pandemic status through cooperation.
After overcoming the pandemic, Lai highlighted the government's dedication to introducing Taiwan to the world and fostering stable and peaceful development in cross-strait tourism.
He underscored the necessity of interdepartmental collaboration between central and local governments and proposed the establishment of specialized units for tourism product development and talent cultivation.
Lai also mentioned upcoming events in Taipei, including the International Masters Games and the Computex, which are expected to attract international visitors and exhibitors, showcasing Taiwan's capability to integrate with global tourism.
Reflecting on his tenure as the Mayor of Tainan, Lai shared how he transformed the city's temple culture into a tourism resource, advocating for local governments to leverage their unique characteristics to draw more visitors.
He believes that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) or the Tourism Bureau should establish units for research, development, and talent cultivation to enhance tourism product development, talent training, and market expansion.
Lai added that facing international competition requires joint efforts from the government and tourism operators to develop products, cultivate talent, and upgrade digitally, thereby reducing costs and promoting the tourism industry's growth.
