Director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration Kuala Lumpur Office Abe Chou in a group photo; and guests during the travel fair. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Taiwan has once again been recognised internationally as a leading leisure destination in Asia, said director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration Kuala Lumpur (KL) Office Abe Chou.
“We aspire for Taiwan to become the preferred overseas cultural experience destination for Bruneians, not only as a place of travel but also as a bridge for deeper people-to-people connections,” he added.
He said this at the Sabre Brunei Travel Fair 2025 at Bridex Hall on Saturday (Sept 13) in conjunction with the Salam Taiwan campaign.
With the campaign, they greet Bruneians with ‘Salam’ and remain committed to making Taiwan a welcoming halal hub by continuously enhancing their facilities and services, aiming to ensure that every Muslim visitor feels at home in Taiwan, he added.
The Taiwan Tourism Administration KL Office welcomes Bruneians to choose Taiwan as their next holiday destination, offering convenient tourism with visa exemptions for Brunei travellers until July 31, 2026.
The campaign highlights Taiwan’s Muslim-friendly environment and promotes the eco-friendly travel trend by showcasing Alishan Forest Railway in Chiayi, Kaohsiung’s beauty of nature, and the cultural heritage in Kinmen, giving Brunei visitors the opportunity to experience a unique and vast serene and cultural experience in Taiwan.
In 2024, the Taiwan Tourism Administration KL Office recorded Brunei tourist arrivals numbering 3,735 tourists – a positive rise compared to 2023. Brunei tourist arrivals recorded a 4.59-per-cent increase, with 82 per cent for leisure and holiday purposes.
Trends observed that younger Muslim visitors prefer destinations that give them the best overall experience, from shopping and food to theme parks, exciting outdoor activities, and scenic views.
Significant achievements for Taiwan in creating a Muslim-friendly tourism environment, such as halal food and certification, were led by the Salam Taiwan promotion campaign in recent years.
With the widespread availability of prayer facilities, outstanding performance in international rankings, and diverse experiences and cultural integration, the efforts have not only enhanced the convenience and comfort for Muslim travellers in Taiwan but have also gradually established Taiwan’s image as an emerging Muslim-friendly travel destination in Asia.
According to the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025, Taiwan ranks fourth among non-OIC destinations, reflecting international recognition of Taiwan’s efforts in building a safe, diverse, and welcoming travel environment.
Taiwan was once again named ‘Best Leisure Destination in Asia’ by Global Traveller magazine (USA) in May this year, while the United Kingdom’s cultural authority Time Out ranked Taiwan fourth on its ‘Best Places to Visit in Asia 2025’ list, reaffirming Taiwan’s enduring tourism appeal.
The market demand is also showing diversification, with demand for free independent travel (FIT), in-depth experiences, and themed tours continuously increasing.
Personalised, customised, and digitalised service experiences will place more importance on future travellers.
Noting the demand for FIT, free Taiwan SIM cards for each air ticket to Taiwan are offered at the travel fair by Taiwan Tourism.
Travellers who purchase Taiwan tour packages are eligible to redeem a foldable travel bag.
Taiwan Tourism Administration continues to intensify efforts to attract international visitors, including expanding the ‘Taiwan – The Lucky Land’ lucky draw with additional prizes and gifts to actively welcome visitors from all around the globe. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
