Taiwan travel fair expects more than 400,000 visitors

Organizers of the Taiwan International Travel Fair hope to attract more than 400,000 visitors this year, with younger travelers increasingly seeking distinctive experiences rather than bargains alone, the organizer’s chairwoman said yesterday.

At a pre-event news conference in Taipei, Taiwan Visitors Association chairwoman Chien Yu-yen (簡余晏) said early-bird ticket sales had risen more than 10 percent from last year, when attendance exceeded 360,000.

The fair, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is to run from Friday to Monday at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center’s Hall 1, featuring more than 550 exhibitors occupying 1,600 booths and representing 123 countries and cities, she said.

Travel mascots promoting the upcoming Taiwan International Travel Fair pose on stage during a news conference in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: Screen grab from the Taipei, Taiwan Visitors Association’s Web site

“In the past, people came to the travel fair seeking value-for-money deals and discounted meal vouchers,” Chien said. “But we’re finding that younger travelers are increasingly buying higher-priced, distinctive trips they want to experience at least once in their lives.”

Polar expeditions, aurora-viewing treks and European itineraries were among the products drawing interest, she said, citing a baseball tour priced at NT$490,000 per person that sold out quickly.

Travel agencies were responding with more premium packages, while pilgrimage routes in Spain and aurora tours were particularly appealing to younger customers, Chien said.

Older travelers tended to favor cruises, she said.

Booth allocations for the Japan Pavilion, the Philippines and travel agencies had reached new highs, she said.

Although the overall booth count remained similar to last year, private sector participation had increased while government representation was down following budget cuts, Chien said.

Airlines and travel agencies began promoting their offerings well before the exhibition, while some companies not participating in the travel fair were also holding online sales to capitalize on demand, she said.

Higher airfares and overseas conflicts are not extinguishing the enthusiasm of Taiwanese travelers, although some are adjusting their destinations to avoid troubled areas, Chien said.

The fair would feature domestic and international travel products, including rail journeys, cruises and themed itineraries.