The tourist board has highlighted its new tourism branding initiative on TTC streetcar

The Taiwan Tourism Administration is promoting Taiwan as a vacation destination to Torontonians in a noticeably moving manner.

The tourist board has highlighted its new tourism branding initiative – “TAIWAN – Waves of Wonder” – by adorning a Toronto Transit Commission streetcar with interior and exterior images highlighting some of Taiwan’s attractions.

The streetcar – which carries people through downtown Toronto – will be used as a mobile promotion until May 18, with huge numbers of Torontonians certain to see some of the reasons suggested for Taiwanese vacations. The streetcar is decorated with what are described as “dynamic wave patterns which depict the unique charm of the island’s four seasons. It not only adds a refreshing visual experience to Toronto’s urban landscape but also showcases Taiwan’s diverse scenery, rich culture, and deep history, offering wave after wave of delightful surprises from Taiwan.”

The tourist board has also partnered with EVA Air and several popular downtown Toronto Taiwanese restaurants to encourage locals to join the “Taiwan Streetcar Social Media Challenge” and a Toronto-Taiwanese #TasteThefWonder Food Map campaign. Through April, Torontonians can join a flight ticket raffle social campaign by following @TaiwanTourism.na, like the post and comment at least once by tagging three friends. For bonus entries they can snap pictures of the Taiwan-themed streetcar and post them to Instagram with the hashtag #WavesofWonder and tagging @TaiwanTourism.na. The winner will receive a round-trip ticket from Toronto to Taipei, courtesy of Taiwanese carrier EVA Air.

Lawrence Yi-Peng Liang, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto, noted during an April 2 Toronto gathering the promotion is using “Toronto’s great symbol of streetcars,” with streetcars being somewhat iconic of Ontario’s capital.

Jin Juang, director of the tourism administration’s New York office, in turn told the gathering that Taiwan is a land of “breathtaking diversity,” and a country that early Portuguese explorers dubbed “Beautiful Island” should be viewed as a “must-visit destination” by Canadians. 

Those on hand were also given a number of other reasons why Taiwan should be considered for their holiday plans, among them Canadians being able to stay for 90 days without a visa.

The island is considered a particularly scenic part of the world, great for cycling and hiking, the audience was told. Among scenic highlights is Taroko Gorge, a dramatic natural feature that has towering canyons.

Adventure enthusiasts will also be in their element in a largely mountainous country ringed by the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan is also a particularly safe destination that is affordable, with 4-star hotel stays available for around $150.   

Dining options include night markets, with the country having over 300 of those culinary options, some of which are Michelin recommended. There are also some 126 restaurants with Michelin stars. 

A particularly colourful event is the annual Lantern Festival, with that long-running celebration seeing Taiwanese create their own dazzling lanterns.

Authorities also noted that Star Alliance carrier EVA Air has direct service to Taipei from both Vancouver and Toronto.

The event was also told it’s easy to explore Taiwan, with high-speed rail travel being one option.

Mini Kao of the tourism administration’s New York office told Travel Courier that her homeland is “very different” from other Asian countries, with the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese among those who have influenced it, creating a particularly diverse destination.

The predominantly Mandarin-speaking country also has Aboriginal groups who have their own languages and cultures. 

Among specific attractions is Taipei’s National Palace Museum, which reportedly has the largest collection of ancient Chinese artifacts anywhere. “If you want to see this ancient collection, you have to come to Taiwan,” Kao said of a facility that has hundreds of thousands of artifacts, some dating back thousands of years. Kao also noted her country is a democratic one.

Also addressing the audience was Adeline Piekham-Hsieh, president of Royal Scenic, who recently visited Taiwan on a fam trip and praised it as a particularly interesting part of the world. “You will never, ever get bored (in Taiwan),” she said. 

The recent gathering saw Taiwanese food served along with bubble tea, a Taiwanese creation that has built an international following. 

In addition, the participating Taiwanese restaurants will offer exclusive discounts from now to April 15. Locals are encouraged to stop by and savour authentic Taiwanese dishes, details also can be found on their social post. 

• Big Trouble, 460 Dundas St. West, buy one get one on appetizers
• Fat Bao, 28 Bathurst St., Bao and Chicken combo $19.95 (original $23.10)
• Light Cafe, 23 Baldwin St., $5 discount on $50 spend
• Mabu Generation, 578 Yonge St., Signature Taiwan Style Pork Belly, or Popcorn Chicken, or BBQ Sausage and Minced Pork on Rice $13.99（Original $15.99）
• Midnight Market, 434 College St., buy one get one on appetize
• OpTeaQ, 256 Queen St. West, $5 bubble tea with free topping
• Twilight Cafe, 667 Yonge St. and 2429 Yonge St., 15% off the order

Meanwhile, Lisa Lau of Okushu Tours praised Taiwan for having a distinctive culture and “phenomenal” scenery.

“It’s a melting pot of Asian cultures,” she continued, adding Taiwan “is full of history.”

For more information on Taiwan tourism, visit the official website of the Taiwan Tourism Administration eng.taiwan.net.tw.