Hong Kong and Macao visitors staying in Taichung grow 185%

Taichung's promotion of the "in via Taichung, out via Taichung" tourism policy has drawn the attention of media and bloggers in Hong Kong and Macao. According to statistics from the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, after more than a year of efforts by Taichung directed at Hong Kong and Macao, overnight stays by Hong Kong and Macao visitors in Taichung hotels last year grew to 234,141, compared with 82,268 in 2014 (ROC year 103), a growth rate of 185%. It also attracted eight media representatives and bloggers, including from Hong Kong's Ming Pao Weekly, to make a special trip to Taichung to experience the food and scenery and conduct interviews.

Chen Sheng-shan, director-general of the Taichung City Government Tourism Bureau, said the in-depth route-scouting and interviews by the Hong Kong media this time included well-known attractions such as Rainbow Village, Nantun Old Street and Fengjia Commercial District, and also a visit to the Taichung Wufeng Golf Course, the only one in Taiwan certified by Audubon. They not only came into contact with green turf that has not been sprayed with pesticides, but could also see butterflies fluttering all over the sky and eagles circling by the Jiujiu Peaks, while Taiwan macaques also appeared at the course from time to time, fully experiencing the characteristics of Taiwan and Taichung.

A blogger from Hong Kong mentioned that since the upgrade of Qingquangang Airport, transportation to and from various attractions in the city has become more convenient than before, increasing his willingness to visit Taichung, while Taichung's slow-living pace also gives people a relaxed and comfortable feeling. With summer vacation approaching, this is the peak season for Hong Kong visitors traveling abroad, and Taichung's abundant tourism resources and convenient transportation will make it the first choice for a holiday.

The Taichung City Government Tourism Bureau said a CNN correspondent based in Hong Kong once wrote a feature introducing Taichung's distinctive attractions and food, such as Calligraphy Greenway, Rainbow Village, Gaomei Wetland and Chun Shui Tang pearl milk tea, and that its diverse and abundant tourism resources are very suitable for in-depth travel. At present, Qingquangang Airport in Taichung has 8 direct flights to Hong Kong every day, making a total of 16 flights a day between Hong Kong and Taichung, building a convenient one-day living circle for tourism between the two places.