Tainan Travel

Following the reopening of international borders, Tainan has launched a new phase in international travel with the inauguration of direct charter flights, the latest being the "Tainan-Thailand" route this April. This follows the successful establishment of direct flights to Sendai, Japan and Da Nang, Vietnam in April and August last year, respectively. The inaugural flight from Thailand to Tainan was a significant event, attended by several distinguished figures. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, Lin Kuo-hua, the Director of the Tainan City Tourism Bureau, Huang Chun-yang, Deputy Director of the Thailand Tourism Authority's Taipei Office, Hsiao Sheng-chung, Director of the Southwestern Taiwan Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Yang Yi-jui, Director of Tainan Airport, were all present.  They were joined by local councilors and representatives, including Kuo Hung-i, Lin Mei-yen, representatives from the offices of Speaker Chiu Li-li and councilors Li Chi-wei and Li Tsung-lin. Also in attendance were Acadia Travel Agency's General Manager Ying Wan-ting, Tainan Association of Travel Agents Chairman Tsai Cheng-hung, Tainan Homestay Cultural Development Association Chairman Chou Jung-tang and Director Chen Tzu-yun, Tainan Souvenir Presents Industry Development Association Chairman Chang Ching-chung, Tainan Municipality Hotel Association Director Wu Chun-tai, Tainan City Hotel Association Director Hung Chih-tsang, Tainan Culture and Tourism Industries Association Chairman Tsai Jen-hui, Marine Industry and Local Culture Revitalizing Association of China Chairman Hou Tsui-ling, Tainan Cake and Pastry Industry Association Chairman Lu Li-chuan, Tainan Travel Industry Managers Association Chairman Ko Chao-ya, Tainan City Docents Association Director Hsiao Shu-hua, Tainan City Leisure Agriculture Development Association Director Cheng Ching-huang, and Tainan Culinary Business Association Chairman Chang Pao-jen, were also present, representing the people of Tainan City in welcoming and presenting a first-flight commemorative welcome gift to Thai passengers, showing the warm hospitality of Taiwan as soon as they landed in the morning.

Mayor Huang Wei-che pointed out that the city proactively deployed international marketing efforts at the onset of the pandemic easing, aiming to elevate Tainan's visibility on the global stage.  Recognizing Thailand as ASEAN's second-largest economy with an outbound travel market exceeding 300 billion Thai Baht in 2022, as reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Tainan strategically initiated direct charter flights to Thailand. He expressed his gratitude towards Thai Lion Air, Acadia Travel Agency, and the Tainan Association of Travel Agents for their substantial support in this endeavor. The inaugural direct flight carried 187 Thai passengers, departing from Don Mueang International Airport at 02:10 AM and arriving at Tainan Airport at 07:05 AM. Subsequently, 174 Tainan passengers took off from Tainan Airport at 08:05 AM and landed at Chiang Mai International Airport at 11:35 AM. This year coincides with the "Tainan 400" celebrations, and Mayor Huang welcomed Thai visitors to participate in these festivities and create lasting fond memories in Tainan.

Director Lin Kuo-hua of the Tourism Bureau remarked that in 2023, approximately 400,000 Thai tourists visited Taiwan, reaching pre-pandemic levels. Notably, Taiwan ranked first in the overseas travel destination category on Thailand's Google searches in 2023, indicating a tourism boom from Thailand to Taiwan. Tainan's prominent landmarks, such as Chihkan Tower, Anping Fort, and the Confucius Temple, attract numerous international visitors annually. With the new Tainan-Thailand direct flight, the hope is to introduce these iconic sites to Thai tourists. The Tourism Bureau continues to enhance the international tourist-friendly environment, including training for tour guides as part of the New Southbound Policy, assisting restaurateurs in creating multi-language menus, and implementing language and tourism training programs for drivers. These initiatives aim to ensure Southeast Asian visitors, including those from Thailand, enjoy high-quality tourism services while exploring Tainan's rich cultural offerings.

To further encourage international travel to Tainan, the Tourism Bureau has launched the "2024 Tainan International Tourism Incentive Program." Legal domestic travel agencies bringing international tour groups to Tainan and meeting specific criteria can receive a subsidy of up to NT$800 per person per group. Tainan continuously offers a wealth of engaging activities, inviting everyone to stay updated via the "Travel Tainan" website and the "Travel Tainan Facebook Fan Page" to catch the latest news on Tainan's tourism and events.