Tainan City in southern Taiwan is recognized by CNN Travel as one of the 24 places tourists should consider while making their 2024 travel plans.In an article by the Atlanta-based Cable News Network entitled “Where to go in 2024: The best places to visit,” Tainan is described as a hot spot on the international stage. As Taiwan’s ancient capital prepares to celebrate its 400th anniversary this year, it has surpassed its modern counterpart, Taipei City, in terms of hotel occupancy rates over the past two years.Otherworldly natural landscapes like Caoshan Moon World, scenic sunsets over salt farms, colorful old temples, cool new museums and flavorful street food such as oyster omelets all factored into CNN Travel’s decision to call out Tainan as something special. The article added that the southern city was also listed among Booking.com’s top 10 sustainable tourism destinations in 2023.According to the municipal government, the U.K. edition of National Geographic Traveller also featured the city on “The Cool List 2024” for its historic architecture and distinctive snacks. Mayor Huang Wei-che welcomed the news, saying that such honors are a seal of approval of the efforts by the local government and citizens in promoting Taiwan’s oldest city.The mayor added that his government is doing everything it can to make Tainan more accessible to tourists from around the world. The city is ready to welcome more visitors as the countdown begins to domestic events like the Taiwan Lantern Festival and global events such as the World Orchid Conference and Taiwan International Orchid Show, both set to run in the city at the end of February, he added. (SFC-E)

The Ministry of Economic Affairs' International Trade Administration and the Ministry of Transportation's Tourism Administration are collaborating once again to encourage international travelers attending MICE events in Taiwan to explore the country through its new Travel Incentive Program. This program was announced during the Sustainable MICE - Taking Strides Towards Net Zero Sharing Event on December 19. Starting in January 2024, the Program offers travel incentives of up to NT$2,000 per person per visit and a maximum of NT$500,000 per proposal. The goal is to boost the development of both MICE and tourism industries, thereby promoting economic growth.The International Trade Administration focused on the promotion of sustainable MICE this year. Through various forms of guidance, optimization, and incentive measures, in collaboration with MICE industry professionals, concrete actions to reduce carbon emissions have been implemented, yielding considerable results. This year, a Carbon Emissions Calculator was introduced in a dedicated section on the MEET TAIWAN Green website, which enables industry participants to assess their carbon reduction capabilities. Furthermore, the International Trade Administration successfully obtained certifications for Conferences and Exhibitions, serving as review guidelines for the carbon footprints of MICE events. Commissioned by the International Trade Administration, TAITRA and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) provided counseling services to 25 businesses, resulting in a reduction of approximately 148 metric tons of carbon emissions, which amounts to a 70% decrease in carbon emissions.Furthermore, to encourage MICE industry professionals to align with international standards, the International Trade Administration has been assisting them with obtaining ISO certifications. To date, 36 certifications have been successfully obtained. For more information about the Travel Incentive Program, please visit the website.Source: China Times

The Taiwan International Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in collaboration with Tainan City Government, held the 2023 Shalun Gala at the International Convention Center Tainan on December 21. Invitations were extended to government departments, representatives from various districts of the Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City, industry associations, hotel operators, cultural and creative sectors, tourism areas, academic institutions, and members of the media, for a total of over 300 participants, demonstrating Tainan City Government's determination to join the public, private sectors and academia in partnership, and to showcase Tainan's potential for development in various fields, including economics, tourism, and culture.The Shalun area in Tainan is currently seeing unprecedented development. In the coming year, Shalun will also host the 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival, as well as the 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show and the 23rd World Orchid Conference. These substantial and diverse international events are considered key in driving Tainan's economic development. In particular, the daily influx of 20,000 to 40,000 passengers at the Tainan High-Speed Rail station presents a tremendous opportunity and advantage for Shalun. Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City, a key development project in Tainan, will combine advanced green energy technology with innovative scientific research, ushering in a new wave of green economy for Tainan. This not only enhances Tainan's international competitiveness; it will significantly contribute to the economic and social development of greater Southern Taiwan. During the gala dinner, representatives from various sectors actively discussed the use of technological innovation and cultural resources to promote comprehensive development.The 2023 Shalun Gala was not only a successful networking event, it was also a significant milestone in Tainan’s journey towards becoming an international hub for MICE events, commercial trade, and smart technology. With Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City development and continued support and collaboration from government, industry, and academia, Tainan is committed to becoming an advanced city for international MICE events. Moreover, Tainan aims to align itself with the development goals of other MICE cities such as Taipei’s TWTC Xinyi District and the Asia New Bay Area in Kaohsiung, as well as Pacifico Yokohama in Japan. These cities serve as benchmarks for MICE city development as Tainan City aims to create a sustainable platform for MICE exchange, along with a smart green service ecosystem, not only for Shalun in the next 30 years but also for other parts of the city and Southern Taiwan. Source: Focus News https://focus.586.com.tw/2023/12/22/p293870

The 9th CYBERSEC took place from May 9–11 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. This year, the overall scale of the event grew by 30% compared to last year, with 18,000 registered participants, over 300 exhibiting brands, and nearly 900 booths in the exhibition venue. In addition, the three-day event showcased 15 concurrent conference sessions, and more than 200 domestic and foreign cybersecurity experts shared their knowledge, from conference discussions to exhibition interactions, creating a premier platform for cybersecurity exchange and development.On the first day of the conference, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen, along with the heads of first-level ministries, attended and addressed the conference, saying, "CYBERSEC has become the most significant cybersecurity event in the Asia Pacific region. In the past few years, Taiwan has been actively promoting the 'cybersecurity is national security' strategy and has advanced to 2.0. Specific achievements include the legislation of the Cyber Security Management Act, the establishment of the Administration for Cyber Security, and the establishment of the National Institute for Cyber Security in February of this year. We will ensure digital homeland security with a national-level cybersecurity team, deepen international cooperation, and build a joint domestic and international cybersecurity defense system. In the face of the ever-present challenges of cybersecurity, Taiwan needs to continuously strengthen its response capability and management mechanism. The government will promote domestic self-developed cybersecurity products and services and encourage investment in cybersecurity innovations. Cybersecurity requires the combined efforts of all, and the government will work with industry and private experts to build an internationally trusted cybersecurity system and industry chain."CYBERSEC 2023 held over 30 cybersecurity forumsSince the impact of cybersecurity covers aspects of technology, management and policy, this year's conference planned more than 30 thematic forums to focus on important cybersecurity trends and issues, providing a comprehensive view of the cybersecurity industry and industrial cybersecurity. The diverse and wide-ranging topics included Blue Team, Red Team, DevSecOps & SecOps, Web3, Cyber Leadership, CISO, CMMC, AI security, Supply Chain security, FINSEC, Anti-Ransomware, Zero Trust, Software Security, Cloud Security, Cybersecurity Governance, Threat Research, security in Electric and Self-driving Vehicles, Security Awareness Training, Cybersecurity Certifications, CyberTalent, and other emerging cybersecurity issues.6th CYBER TAIWAN PAVILION brought together 48 cybersecurity companiesThe CYBER TAIWAN PAVILION, jointly established by the Administration for Digital Industries, Moda and iThome, was a great stage for Taiwan's cybersecurity to shine and thrive. This year, the PAVILION gathered 48 top Taiwanese cybersecurity companies to showcase Taiwan's abundant independent research and development capabilities and diverse and forward-looking cybersecurity solutions through four main themes: transformation to zero trust in network security, semiconductor industrial control protection, 5G technology security and IoT product security.CyberTalent: a talent recruitment, training, career development and exchange platformIn response to the shortage of cyber talent, CYBERSEC established CyberTalent to provide career development, skills training and experience exchange for talent development through CyberTalent seminars and forums, as well as on-site recruitment and vocational skill assessment.Source: Up Media

Agoda, the international digital travel platform, announced the 14th Golden Circle Awards winner list today. Thailand ranked number one for the fourth consecutive year, and Taiwan ranked number two in the top 10 for the first time. A total of 209 properties in Taiwan were recognized.Agoda's Golden Circle Awards, based on a comprehensive evaluation of traveler accommodation ranking, high price-to-ratio quotation, excellent customer service, and other aspects, carefully selected the hotels of choice for the year. Since its inception, the award has been regarded by the industry as a benchmark indicator of the world's outstanding hotels.The 14th Agoda Gold Circle Awards recognized over 2,000 properties in 41 markets. Thailand ranked number one for the fourth consecutive year, while Taiwan raised and ranked number two, and Japan ranked number three. It is worth mentioning that India has greatly optimized its tourism environment in recent years and for the first time entered the top 10, while South Korea, Malaysia, the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam remain in the top 10, indicating that hotels in the Asia-Pacific region are popular with tourists from all over the world. Taiwan was ranked in the top 10 of the "Golden Circle Awards" for the first time this year, and was ranked number two. A total of 209 properties in Taiwan won the award, including the boutique hotel "Humble Boutique Hotel" opened this year, which has great geographical advantages and is supported by Michelin-starred chefs, which makes the accommodation experience more honorable and unique. In addition, the Lakeshore Hotel Hualien Taroko, located between the mountains and the sea, is the first choice hotel for many families with its beautiful sea view and family-friendly amenities.Agoda states that the winners will be featured on Agoda's dedicated page from now until the 31st, and will receive a digital Golden Circle Awards badge and Agoda Growth Program to enable hospitality operators to target and build promotions. In addition, Agoda has also continued to cooperate with the World Wide Fund for Nature, donating 5,000 trees on behalf of all Golden Circle Awards winners around the world, to contribute to environmental sustainability.Source: Central News Agency

The Taiwan Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), Ministry of Economic Affairs announced today (August 4) the launch of the Greentopia Sustainable MICE City competition, inviting creative proposals from all over the world about holding conventions, exhibitions, or corporate meetings in Taiwan.   The event is expected to solicit 1,000 proposals for MICE events in Taiwan, from which five winning proposals will be selected and the writers will be encouraged to come to Taiwan to implement their proposals. The concept of Greentopia is an online virtual city that combines multiple features such as Taiwan's convention and exhibition venues, environmentally friendly catering, green accommodations, public transportation, and unique experiential itineraries. The goal is to convey the excellent and sustainable image of MEET TAIWAN's development environment, to attract proposals from all walks of life, and to achieve the goal of bringing more international MICE events to Taiwan in the post-pandemic era.   The organizers held a press conference today to announce the event and invited KOL and Frenchman, Remy Gils (吉雷米), who loves the culture of Taiwan, to deliver a speech. Through his experience of living in Taiwan for 16 years, Remy Gils demonstrated from an expatriate's perspective that Taiwan is a prime destination for sustainable MICE events.   The BOFT said that MEET TAIWAN is actively connected to the international community and welcomes all sectors both inside and outside the country to promote and share their proposals so that Taiwan's Greentopia can be realized.   The MEET TAIWAN international proposal competition, Greentopia: Sustainable MICE City, is open for registration starting August 4. View the Greentopia Sustainable MICE City video (https://youtu.be/YixUghxuOl8) to complete Stage 1 of the online registration for a chance to win a Taiwan-brand premium business laptop. After qualifying and receiving a second stage proposal notification letter and after submitting their proposals in English by October 19, five winners will be selected to receive a grand prize worth a combined total of US$30,000 and Greentopia e-citizenship cards.   Source: Ministry of Economic Affairs  

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs convened on Wednesday to speak to current and former social media executives, hoping to address how disinformation and extremist ideologies that amplify hate speech and promote violence put the U.S. at risk. But the Senators became quickly bogged down in partisan talking points that ultimately did not seem to bring them any closer to finding a path forward to regulate the social media giants.

This is the 12th year of the contest and the first time be held online. Students are encouraged to design an online exhibition to market their chosen cities by using their creativity, skills and knowledge of the MICE industry.   The theme of the contest this year is International City Online Marketing and OMO (Online-Merge-Offline) Exhibition. This year we have 17 teams from 5 different countries including Taiwan (11 teams), Malaysia (2 teams), Thailand (1 team), Vietnam (1 team), Singapore (2 teams). Welcome everyone to visit their exhibition and give them supports!   Each team will present their exhibition in English, including Marketing and Proposal Planning, Virtual Exhibition and Booth Design and English Tour Guide. The Online Award Ceremony event will be held on November 12th, 2021. Stay tuned!   ▼Click on the link below to access the contest lobby and remember to turn your volume up! https://reurl.cc/DZxM05   Contest and Exhibition Information: (1)  Charge: "FREE" admission (2)  Contest Date: 11/1 17:00 - 11/5 17:00 (3)  Exhibition Date: 11/1 17:00 -11/17 24:00 (GMT+8, Taiwan Standard Time)

The Taichung World Flora Exposition opened on November 3, 2018, and will end on April 24, 2019. The number of visitors has already reached a record high, with over 700 thousand people visiting. In addition to enjoying the flowers, sun, and day-time fragrances, the evening art scene has also been well received by the public. Taichung City Government indicated that the gardens, pavilions, and installation art of the flora parks were designed to correspond to artistic themes and showcase the brilliant dialogue between lights and flowers by presenting a unique nightly flora exhibition. Opening at 4 PM, the entry fee for the Starlight Ticket is NT$150. Taichung City Government indicated that the nighttime exposition held at the three major parks each have their own stylistic brilliance. The Harvest Blessings Pavilion, Bamboo Structure Dining Area, public buildings, and other structures at Waipu Park become radiant with light embellishments at night and attract many visitors and photographers. The theme of the waterfront corridor at the 5th zone of Fengyuan Huludun Park is waterfront ecological flowers. Take a stroll along the river to relax, enjoy the beauty, and forget about worries. As an added attraction, international lighting master, Lien Chou, who designed lighting for famous attractions such as the Statue of Liberty in the United States, was invited to help design the night lights at Houli Forest Park, Houli Horse Ranch Park, and Fengyuan zones 1 and 4. After sunset, the 1.2 kilometer Huama Road in Houli Park starts to light up. The lighting in the park perfectly illuminates the Flower Trail and Flower Bud Elevators to showcase the architecture and flowers in the park. Different from the excitement of the Flora Exposition during day time, nighttime scenery presents a romantic and mystical atmosphere. The lights also illuminate the two circular buildings of the Blossom Pavilion in Houli Horse Ranch Park, showcasing their curved surfaces. Lights are also used to create a visual image at the outdoor shelter and ticket booth depicting stars in the sky. The longest paper cutting rendition in the nation (made of iron) highlights Happy Moments for People and Nature Together, with the vibrant color of red representing happiness. In addition, solar powered lighting is used to illuminate A Family of Four, a themed building in Houli Forest Park, with a lamp in front that emanates a warm lodge atmosphere. The wrapping art installation, called A Seed from the Sky, was made using nearly a hundred curved staffs of bamboo, with projection lights to create a sense of floating. There is also a bamboo shed exhibition named Lipahak that features rich light projection, as well as a large art installation titled Listen to the Sounds of Flowers. The Purple Reflection Forest, Glamorous Forest, Sound of Nature Forest, and Romantic Forest in zones 1 to 4 of Fengyuan Huludun Park are even prettier at night, enabling people to sense the dialogue between light aesthetics and flower art. "Everything is so beautiful!", Ms. Liao from Taichung remarked, saying that unlike the crowded noise during the day, the entire forest park quiets down at night, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll to enjoy the breeze. "The various lighting art installations are so beautiful under the glittering stars of the night." Mr. Chen from Tainan felt that the Flora Exposition has different features during the day and at night. He preferred to buy the Starlight Ticket. "In addition to the half-price concession," he said, "the areas are less crowded, plus the romantic atmosphere reflected by the lights make you feel as if you are traveling abroad." He would definitely visit the exposition again if given a chance. According to Taichung City Government, the night lights interspersed with the colorful flowers are intended to enhance the overall beauty of the Flora Expo. In consideration of walking comfort for visitors and seniors, the color tones were set to a warm 3,000K for trail guardrail lighting, while 4,000K color-toned lights were used to brightly illuminate green plants to make them look more vibrant at night.   Source: Taichung City Government Information Bureau

MEET TAIWAN's Northeast Asia Promotional Group led six Taiwan MICE industry teams to Osaka and Fukuoka, Japan, from June 28th to July 2nd, on a promotional and exchange tour. The results have been fruitful as the group contributed to Japan’s Sanikleen Kyushu Co., Assuran Co., and Nichigyoku Foods’ corporate incentive travel agreements. Tremendous Opportunities for Japanese Corporate Meetings in Taiwan For five consecutive years, the second highest number of foreign tourists in Taiwan have been from Japan. In 2014, the number of Japanese tourists reached as high as 16.34 million, contributing to a substantial growth of 15% in comparison to the previous year. To attract more Japanese corporations to organize conferences and incentive travel activities in Taiwan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Foreign Trade commissioned TAITRA to arrange the Taiwan Conference and Incentive Tourism Promotion and Exchange Seminar in Osaka and Fukuoka, Japan. Domestic industry participants included China Airlines, Huei Ji International Co., Palais de Chine, An-Jia Travel Agencies, Chao-An International Convention and Exhibition Co., Shuang-Hsiang PR Firm, and several others. The Osaka and Fukuoka seminars attracted 110 local business representatives, media, and MICE industry professionals for one-on-one negotiations with Taiwan's domestic MICE industry representatives. The promotional group successfully conducted corporate incentive deals with Japanese enterprises, such as Japan’s leading manufacturer of cleaning products, Sanikleen Kyushu’s 700 people, Assuran Direct Marketing’s 600 people, and Nichigyoku Foods’ 100 people. The promotional group also met with other corporations showing great potential to organize business conferences and incentive travel activities in Taiwan, including Pias Corporation’s subsidiary O’Leary Co., which has an annual turnover of about 41.1 billion yen in Japan, as well as Kyushu’s renowned manufacturers of traditional Japanese cakes such as Mizuan. The group actively promoted Taiwan's MICE industry and sought collaborative opportunities to facilitate an increase in Japanese business group visits to Taiwan for corporate meetings, incentive travel, and other exchange events. Japanese Candidates Invited to Join MEET TAIWAN's Asia Super Team Competition During seminars, the MEET TAIWAN group promoted their Asia Super Team competition, currently in the application stage, and invited Japanese corporations to enter. The event invitation is extended to enterprises from Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia. Through two-phase interactive competitions on the Internet and on location in Taiwan, the event champions Taiwan's rich resources as ideal for holding corporate meetings and incentive travel activities. The winning team will win public funds and a dream tour of Taiwan. (Asia Super Team’s official website is http://asiasuperteam.meettaiwan.com)