Taiwan’s 7 millionth visitor of the year arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Dec. 18, setting a record annual high, according to the ROC Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
Lim Swee Chin, the lucky Malaysian tourist, will be presented with 70 gifts worth NT$300,000 (US$10,342), Cheng Yi-ping, a section chief with the MOTC’s Tourism Bureau, said Dec. 19.
These include two business class roundtrip tickets from Taiwan’s China Airlines and EVA Airways Corp.; three nights at Howard Hotels, Resorts and Suites facilities in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Kenting; two tickets to New Taipei City-based Juming Museum; and a Taipei metro ticket worth NT$10,000 issued by EasyCard Corp.
“The presents demonstrate local cultural features and the nation’s soft power in the fine arts and technology,” Cheng said.
Lim, who arrived in Taiwan with her four daughters and three grandchildren, was greeted with a lion dance and other festivities in the airport arrival hall. The group plans to visit Shilin Night Market in Taipei City, Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan’s Nantou County, Alishan in southern Taiwan’s Chiayi County, Tainan and Kaohsiung, the Tourism Bureau said.
Taiwan offers tourists unique cuisine, sightseeing spots and activities ranging from hiking to hot springs. The New Year’s Eve countdown at Taipei 101 was chosen Dec. 14 by U.S.-based CNN as one of the 10 best places to ring in 2013, while a bike route around Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan’s Nantou County was named one of the world’s top 10 cycling paths by CNNGo March 15. (THN)
Grace Kuo
Taiwan Today