Taiwan targets 75,000 Malaysian Muslim tourists

KUALA LUMPUR: Taiwan is targeting 75,000 Muslim tourists from Malaysia after retaining its status as "Asia's Favourite Destination" for the third time in a row at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) 2018 Fair.
Director of Taiwan Tourism Bureau Kuala Lumpur Abe Chou said this is based on the arrivals of 52,000 Muslim visitors from here last year.
"We will be offering 2,500 tour packages at our 20 booths this week," he said when met at the sidelines during Matta's pre-launch at Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
"This is compared with 2,350 sold last year. We wish to share our experience in Taiwan such as the cherry blossom trees during springtime in Nantou County which is in central Taiwan.
"Other favourite destinations are the Yingming Mountain National Park and some 176 halal restaurants.
"A visitor can easily travel from Taipei in the north to Taichung City in one hour using the high-speed rail at RM80."
Abe said Malaysian actress Mira Filzah has been roped in as Taiwan's Tourism Ambassador of the Year to share her experience with Malaysians.
Taiwan attracted over 528,000 Malaysian tourists last year and is currently ranked No. 5 on the list of Muslim-friendly non-OIC tourist destinations, according to the Global Muslim Tourism Index 2018.
Various activities will also take place at the Taiwan Pavillion booth such as DIY pearl milk tea led by the nation's well-known beverage brand Chatime, dance performance by "Zero Four Dance Crew", winner of Asian Battleground 2017 and other cultural performances.
The Matta Fair will be held from Sept 7-9 at the Putra World Trade Centre with a total of 1,356 booths from over 450 participating agencies and organisations.