Taiwan is amongst Indonesian travelers’ favorite destinations abroad. Inclover spoke with Tony Wu, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Bangkok, on attracting Indonesians to Taiwan and the Taiwanese way of life.
Inclover:
Tsai Ing-wen, current president of Taiwan, initiated a Southbound Policy last year in which Taiwan aims to establish stronger ties with its Southeast Asian neighbours and several other regions. What will be the implications of Taiwanese tourism in Indonesia?
Tony Wu:
I think in the last ten years the economic situation in Indonesia has increased very strongly. Now people have money in their pocket. Now they are trying to find some fun in travel, in everything. But going to Taiwan, I think, is a new destination for them because obtaining the visa was very difficult last year. We have a new policy. For a group of more than five people going to Taiwan, they don’t need a visa. If they have been to Korea, Japan, Europe, America, New Zealand or Canada, then they can apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization.
More and more Indonesian friends choose Taiwan astheir travel destination and we will do more advertising for the Indonesian market because I must say that sinceIndonesia has a population ofmore than 240 million we are trying to build a new market in Indonesia.
But we also have the Southbound Policy. For me, we are the tourism department, that’s a new market. The policy strengthens Taiwanese tourism in Indonesia.
Inclover:
We know that more than 100,000 Indonesians have visited Taiwan every year for the last four years, from 2013-2016. What is the Taiwanese government planning to do to attract more Indonesians?
Tony Wu:
We are developing Chinese culture. We keep it very well—traditional and everything. We have a Chinese cultural museum in Taipei. And the Taipei Grand Mosque. Jay Chou, the famous singer in Taiwan, I hope can try to attract younger people to Taiwan. And as I said, advertising. We will invite the media to know more about Taiwan, and then write articles. We try to touch more Indonesian friends through the media, including television and movies.
Inclover:
Have these strategies changed to follow the Southbound Policy? How differentare the strategies compared to previous ones?
Tony Wu:
For me, it cannot be compared with the policy. We do promote tourism. The policy is policy. Even without the new policy, we still focus on the Indonesian market. But the policy and tourism promotion can work together.
Inclover:
Together with the strategies you told us earlier, what will be the projected tourist arrivals in the next few years?
Tony Wu:
Actually we hope can increase 30 percent of tourists compared to last year because the visa is now so easy. We will do more and work very hard because in February 2017 it just increased by 7.5 percent for the Indonesian market.
Inclover:
Kuala Lumpur’s office of Taiwan Tourism Bureau (Mr. Wu was stationed in Kuala Lumpur at the time of this interview) is also responsible for travelers from Indonesia. We believe you have an understanding of the Indonesian market. What can you specifically find in Taiwan that you cannot find here?
Tony Wu:
In Taiwan, we keep the Chinese culture very well. You can try the calligraphy that has existed for more than one hundred years. We also have a very good tea tradition. We have very good cycling tracks in the whole of Taiwan. It’s very safe, as you don’t have to cycle with cars around.
I’d say that people go to Taiwan for farming. When you travel there, you can go to the farm and pick fruits and make tea with herbs. You can relax in the gardens.
Inclover:
Through your eyes as a local, what are the things Indonesians should experience in Taiwan?
Tony Wu:
The East part of Taiwan—Taitung and Hualien. I like Taitung. So natural, everything is clear, blue sky. You can forget almost everything.
And Hualien. If you work very hard and always stay in office, you’d like to put away everything. You can relax in Hualien. You can think more clearly. You can clear your mind. Hualien has Taroko Gorge (a national park often named as one of Taiwan’s most beautiful destinations).
Inclover:
The world, especially Indonesia, now knows Taiwan as the “heart of Asia” that is suggested by its tagline. What is the message behind that slogan?
Tony Wu:
When you see the map, Taiwan is in the middle. We are the heart of Asia. The geographic location is really good. From Taipei, it’s not so far to go to any city in Asia. Taiwan is multicultural. Taipei is a truly international city.
Note: The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Photos by Kelly Chan Siew Mun & Randy Mulyanto
