Premier Chen today welcomed Taiwan's 7 millionth tourist for 2012, saying efforts to improve the quality of tourism services will draw even more visitors next year.
Speaking at a press conference, the premier pointed out that the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has achieved its targets of attracting 4 million, 5 million, 6 million and 7 million tourists respectively in the past four years.
The premier greeted Malaysian national Lim Swee Chin, who arrived with her family, and noted that her good timing gave new meaning to the Tourism Bureau's slogan "Time for Taiwan."
The proportion of visitors from Southeast Asia has soared in recent years, primarily because the region's ethnic Chinese can travel conveniently in Taiwan without language barriers, the premier said. Taiwan's wintry feel this time of year is also a big draw for Southeast Asian travelers.
Premier Chen, along with Minister without Portfolio Yang Chiu-hsing, MOTC Minister Mao Chi-kuo and Tourism Bureau Director-General David Hsieh presented gifts and souvenirs to Lim before participating in a lighting ceremony to celebrate the occasion. The made-in-Taiwan gifts not only showcase Taiwan's regional character, cultural innovation, product sophistication, advanced technology and soft power, but also demonstrate the warmth and hospitality of its people.
Moving forward, the MOTC will work to raise the number of incoming visitors as well as the quality of tourism services provided. It will guide businesses on industrial upgrading, conduct travel safety inspections, expand consumer protection, and strengthen training of tourism personnel.