Discover the Festive Spirit: Celebrate Christmas in Taiwan
Taipei, December 15, 2024 – The Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (M.O.T.C.) is delighted to announce an exciting event that highlights the vibrant connection between Taiwan and the Philippines. On December 14 and 15, 2024, renowned Filipino stars Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos, who proudly serve as Taiwan’s tourism ambassadors for the Philippine market, hosted engaging fan meetings in the bustling cities of Taipei and Kaohsiung. These special gatherings were designed to celebrate the festive Christmas season, bringing together Filipino tourists visiting Taiwan for an unforgettable experience filled with warmth, joy, and cultural exchange.
From left: Taiwan Tourism Ambassador Gabbi Garcia, Mr. Ben Huang, Director of Taiwan Tourism Administration International Affairs Division, Ms. Cindy Chen, Director of Taiwan Tourism Administration Bangkok Office, and Taiwan Tourism Ambassador Khalil Ramos during the Meet and Greet in Taipei.
The Tourism Administration has chosen Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos as the official ambassadors for Taiwan tourism in 2024. With Gabbi’s impressive 13.44 million followers on Facebook, these two will embark on a fun year-long campaign to inspire Filipino tourists to discover all the amazing attractions Taiwan has to offer. Get ready for some great adventures ahead!
In January 2024, the campaign unveiled an enchanting promotional video titled “Ang Iyong Love Story – Create Your Taiwan Love Story.” This captivating video featured a couple embarking on a journey through Taiwan, showcasing the island as a premier destination for romance infused with adventure. Its heartwarming narrative and stunning visuals captured the attention of viewers and were widely disseminated across various social media platforms and displayed on vibrant digital billboards throughout Manila.
Throughout the year, the ambassadors actively participated in multiple travel expos, shopping mall trade shows, and public events, strategically scheduled across February, May, July, and October. These lively gatherings provided a unique opportunity for the ambassadors to connect with Filipino audiences, sharing the rich tapestry of Taiwan’s culinary delights, cultural heritage, vibrant shopping scenes, and breathtaking scenic spots. Each event aimed to inspire and ignite a passion for exploration, inviting individuals and couples alike to discover the romance and allure that Taiwan has to offer.
The campaign has already shown significant success. In 2023, the number of Filipino tourists visiting Taiwan reached 350,487, recovering 70% of pre-pandemic levels. From January to September 2024, the total number of Filipino tourists increased to 332,847, marking a 37.22% year-on-year growth compared to the same period in 2023 (242,569). This growth has positioned the Philippines as the largest source of Southeast Asian tourists to Taiwan and the fifth-largest globally.
Christmas is a major holiday in the Philippines and a peak travel season. To take advantage of this festive period, the Tourism Administration organized fan meetings with Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos in Taipei and Kaohsiung on December 14 and 15, 2024. These events gave Filipino tourists the opportunity to join in Taiwan’s Christmas celebrations and create lasting memories with the ambassadors.
During the fan meetings, the ambassadors performed the theme song from the drama Meteor Garden, which had previously gained immense popularity in the Philippines. Fans sang along and also participated in Taiwan’s traditional night market games, sharing their positive travel experiences. Gabbi and Khalil expressed their admiration for Taiwan’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. The ambassadors stated, “Taiwan is a perfect destination for in-depth travel. This time, we flew from Manila to Taipei. After attending fan meetings in Taipei and Kaohsiung, we are excited to explore the southern part of Taiwan before flying from Kaohsiung back to Manila. We encourage other Filipinos to visit Taiwan as well.”
Mr. Ben Huang, director of International Affairs Division, Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (M.O.T.C.), also attended the event and gave the two ambassadors a memento in appreciation for their efforts to promote Taiwan. The Tourism Administration stated, “Filipinos often plan international vacations during the Christmas holidays, and with Taiwan being just over an hour away by flight, it has become a top choice for many. We encourage tourists to explore not only Taipei but also Taiwan’s central, southern, and eastern regions, which offer rich cultural and scenic experiences.”
Through this campaign, the Tourism Administration has collaborated with travel agencies in the Philippines to promote new Taiwan tourism products, with the goal of attracting 500,000 Filipino tourists to Taiwan by the end of 2024.
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