Premier Lai Ching-te on Thursday commended the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) for its three-decade promotion of Taiwan's annual Lantern Festival. Each year the festival draws over 10 million visitors from Taiwan and around the world, and generates more than NT$10 billion (US$325 million) in tourism benefits. The Discovery Channel recently even selected the event as one of the best festivals in the world, and the occasion has now become one of the most important celebrations for marketing Taiwan internationally.
The premier made his remarks at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet following a presentation by the MOTC on preparations for the 2019 festival.
This year's event marks the first time that the festival will be held in Pingtung County, Premier Lai said. It will also be the first time that the festival's lanterns will be set up in an ocean harbor area, as the theme for the marquee lantern is Pingtung's famed "black tuna," a type of bluefin tuna prized among seafood lovers.
The MOTC indicated that the 2019 Taiwan Lantern Festival will run for 13 days, from February 19 to March 3. The eye-opening new layout calls for lanterns to be displayed at three separate zones: downtown Pingtung, Donggang and Dapeng Bay. The Dapeng Bay location will host the main lantern and will also be the first time that the Lantern Festival is held at one of Taiwan's national scenic areas.
Those interested can find more information on the 2019 Taiwan Lantern Festival at websites operated by the MOTC's Tourism Bureau and the Pingtung County Government.