Taiwan Tourism is expanding its Australasian presence, as it concentrates its efforts on getting more Kiwis to the destination.
The NTO is pitching the country as the next step for clients who have been to Japan and Korea. Ganessan Suppiah, Taiwan Tourism Administration’s Sydney-based representative, says it made the decision to open the Australasian office in Sep, following increased demand for the destination, and industry inquiry for more information about Taiwan. For the period Jan-Jun 2025, Suppiah says more than 10,000 Kiwis flew into Taiwan while overall visitation numbers from the Oceania region over this period rose 16%. “As a result of that we decided to open a visitor centre in Sydney,” he adds. “The focus is basically where people can come in and ask questions.” Suppiah says the visitor centre has a direct e-mail address and phone number to allow agents to access advice—when planning itineraries to Taiwan. He encourages agents to reach out to organise training sessions, in full acknowledgement as to how important travel agents are to Taiwan.
The NTO also has a number of Kiwi trade initiatives planned, Suppiah says Tourism Taiwan’s annual roadshow in Auckland will continue, and there are discussions underway for an agent famil next year. For agents selling Taiwan, or looking to sell it, his top advice is to highlight the destination to those who have been to Japan and Korea, dubbing Taiwan as ‘the third sibling’.
Air New Zealand offers thrice weekly direct flights to Taipei ex Auckland, China Airlines flies via BNE, and there’s 90-day free visa access for Australia/New Zealand passport holders.
. . . Accessible
Suppiah also highlights Taiwan’s affordability, saying it’s not as expensive as some Japanese locales, as well as the fact it’s a ‘new destination’. “It’s not something everyone has been to, it’s not a Hong Kong or a Singapore or a New York or a Paris.” Food is another selling points, he says, with Michelin-starred restaurants and there are 300 night markets, as well as its cherry blossom season. Taiwan is also accessibile. It is smaller than Tasmania and has trains that go from north to south in an hour and a half.
E-mail Taiwan Tourism HERE with questions, or see more on Taiwan HERE.
