‘Waterboys’ lead actor to promote Taiwan tourism

‘Waterboys’ lead actor to promote Taiwan tourism

2024-09-04

"Waterboys" lead actor Tsumabuki Satoshi is in Taiwan, as the newest Taiwan tourism ambassador. The movie star shot a promotional video at several popular locations, sailing on Sun Moon Lake, fishing for shrimp in Yilan and collecting tea in Alishan. His collaboration is part of a campaign by the Tourism Administration to boost tourist numbers from Northeast Asia. Tsumabuki says he loves Taiwan.

Tsumabuki Satoshi
Japanese actor
I am so happy to be here because I really love Taiwan. I don’t remember how many times I have come to Taiwan. I never thought I would be tasked with such an important job. Taiwanese tea is truly delicious. I had always wanted to go to Alishan, so I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to go there this time.

Chou Yung-hui
Tourism Administration
The Japanese market is very important for us, so we are focusing on Japan. We’re promoting independent travel, so if four people travel together, one person’s air fare will be free.

The tourism official hopes the actor’s promotion will help bring the number of Japanese tourist arrivals past 2 million this year. Before the pandemic in 2019, the largest source of tourists to Taiwan was Japan, with 2.16 million visitors. As of August, Taiwan has registered only 800,000 Japanese arrivals, less than half of previous figures.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

妻夫木聰任台灣觀光代言人日本影帝採茶.體驗釣蝦

2024-09-04

力拚千萬國際客目標，觀光署從東北亞下手，繼韓國找來圭賢後，日本地區更是找上影帝妻夫木聰擔任代言人，為了拍攝宣傳片，妻夫木聰不僅去日月潭遊湖、到宜蘭釣蝦，還在嘉義阿里山體驗採茶。首度以代言人這個身分，跟大家見面，妻夫木聰在台上甜喊愛台灣。

[[日本男星妻夫木聰]]
“我很開心能擔任代言人，因為我真的很愛台灣。我真的來過台灣好幾次都忘記了，沒想到自己會有這麼重要的任務。台灣的茶真的很好喝，我一直都很想去阿里山，這次有機會能去，真的很開心”

[[交通部觀光署長周永暉]]
“日本市場對我們來講很重要，所以我們目前來講也是鎖定日本市場，那我們也推自由行來台灣的話，是四個人同行的話，一個人機票免費”

這回交通部觀光署找來妻夫木聰加持，想衝出200萬人次的日本旅客，畢竟2019年疫情前，外國旅客人數，日本排名第一，有216萬人，但今年到8月為止，只有80萬人次，連當年的一半都不到。

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Premier Cho Jung-tai stands with diplomats from the U.S., U.K. and Germany among other officials, to kick off Semicon Taiwan in Taipei.

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These investments are more than just a company’s business decision. They symbolize Taiwan’s commitment to fostering international collaboration.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Alliance says that, amid the rise of AI, the next 20 years will be a golden era for Taiwan. This year’s Semicon Taiwan features exhibitors from 56 countries and 3,700 booths. It is expected to attract 85,000 visitors. That’s the biggest edition of the convention to date.

Cho Jung-tai
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The highway was packed with cars, since more than 80,000 people were coming to this event. The recent Computex Taipei was also very big. These all show Taiwan is marching forward in the global AI wave. As long as the world sees Taiwan, we will have a golden era lasting 20 years or more.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Alliance estimates that the market will have a compound annual growth rate of 24% by 2030. Taiwanese companies are expanding overseas, to increase their visibility in international markets. The American Institute in Taiwan took part in the exhibition for the first time this year, which some have taken as a sign of deeper tech cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S.

J. W. Kuo
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Semiconductor businesses from all over the world will inevitably gather here in Taiwan. The government’s position is to help companies find the best clients. Here in Taiwan, we are dedicated to satisfying their manufacturing needs.

Some analysts have previously voiced concern about the impact of geopolitical issues on TSMC’s operations, as well as the company’s struggles in setting up shop in the U.S. The economics minister stressed that companies make the decisions they judge are best. He echoed a statement from former TSMC CEO Mark Liu, who said that Taiwan’s industry would only be able to reach its full potential by aiming for the world.

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And it’s not just the visuals under fire. The event’s official website has been found to contain coding notes in simplified Chinese characters, giving rise to theories that both site and visuals were outsourced to a team across the strait, which could be why no creators have been named. Organizers say the site was built entirely by a Taiwanese team, with no Chinese workers involved. They say the contract stipulated a Chinese-language website template, which is why simplified Chinese can be found in the coding.

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Fenqihu tourism increases despite station openings

Apart from its stunning mountainous landscape, Fenqihu in Chiayi is known for its scenic railway and old street. Yet now that the entire Forest Railway line has reopened, the town is no longer the terminal station. As many foreign travelers like to visit Alishan at the end of the line, will Fenqihu no longer see as much tourism? To help the town, one train a day will still stop there for an hour.

A tomahawk pork steak and roasted chicken leg are placed into metal lunchboxes, ready for tourists to enjoy. These famous Fenqihu lunches are a must-have for anyone traveling through.

Traveler
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There’s also a long line at this popular aiyu spot. Fenqihu in Chiayi’s Zhuqi Township is surrounded by peaceful mountains. It’s also known for its railway and old street. Yet now that the entire Forest Railway line has reopened, travelers can go straight from Chiayi to Alishan, only passing through Fenqihu. Now that the town is no longer the final destination, some are worried it will affect tourism.

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Businesses don’t have to worry, because trains heading to Alishan will still stop at Fenqihu for an hour. Some people unable to get train tickets also stop here on their way up the mountain.

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This is Fenqihu Old Street, a popular tourist destination. Even after the reopening of the entire Forest Railway line, it’s gotten even busier here.

Whether they take a car here or stop by for a short while on the railway, visitors to Fenqihu are on the rise. Businesses are happy to see the increase in traffic.

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