Author Press Release
Photographer Culture and Tourism Bureau Keelung City
To promote Keelung City’s popular sightseeing route, “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Coastal Keelung Route (台灣好行——濱海奇基線)”, the Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism held a week-long promotional campaign in Osaka, Japan, from September 24 to September 30, 2024. The event took place at Osaka’s Herbis(大阪梅田)Ent Shopping Center, drawing enthusiastic participation from locals and creating a vibrant atmosphere. This event aimed to provide local Japanese with a deeper understanding of Keelung, a city rich in maritime culture and historical charm while showcasing the unique attractions connected by the Coastal Keelung Route.
The Appeal of Keelung: A Perfect Fusion of Nature and Culture
Keelung is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and distinctive historical heritage. From the colorful houses of Zhengbin Fishing Harbor to the culinary delights of Miaokou Night Market, these attractions leave visitors enchanted. The “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Coastal Keelung Route” connects Keelung’s most iconic landmarks along a 20-kilometer route, which includes Miaokou Night Market(廟口夜市), Keelung Fort Command(基隆要塞司令部), Fairy Grotto and Buddha’s Hand Cave (仙洞巖佛手洞), Zhengbin Fishing Harbor (正濱漁港), Heping Island Geopark (和平島地質公園), Badouzi Fishing Harbor (八斗子漁港), National Museum of Marine Science(海科館) and Technology, and Badouzi Station (八斗子車站).
Since resuming operations on August 30, 2023, following a suspension due to COVID-19, the Coastal Keelung Route has rapidly gained popularity among both local and international travelers. The especially enthusiastic response from Japanese tourists motivated the Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism to expand overseas promotions. This event featured a specially produced Japanese-language promotional video, distribution of brochures, and professional staff explaining the route’s highlights. An interactive area was also set up, where visitors could fill out a survey to receive a eco-friendly Taiwan-themed canvas tote bag, drawing considerable attention.
Osaka Promotion Event: High Participation from Japanese Tourists
The Osaka event saw enthusiastic participation from Japanese people of all backgrounds. Especially around 11 a.m., when the shopping center opened, many housewives visited the booth to learn more about the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Coastal Keelung Route. “As the day progressed to noon and evening, office workers also flocked to the booth, lining up to join the interactive questionnaire activity. Some even mentioned that they plan to use their personal leave to travel to Taiwan and experience this unique route that connects the ocean with the city.
The Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism stated that Japan has consistently been Taiwan’s second-largest source of tourists, with 928,235 Japanese visitors to Taiwan in 2023, second only to Hong Kong and Macau. Given this background, the department hopes that this Osaka promotion will introduce more Japanese people to the charm of Keelung as a port city. They also aim to increase the interest of Japanese travelers in visiting Taiwan in the future, particularly encouraging them to include Keelung in their itinerary when exploring the Taipei area.
Future Outlook: Deepening the Japanese Market
The Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism revealed that this is only part of a global campaign to promote tourism in Keelung. Similar promotional events are planned for other cities in Japan to further enhance Japanese tourists’ awareness of Keelung and Taiwan. The department has also launched seven special tour packages, enabling Japanese tourists to experience the city’s rich natural landscapes and cultural heritage conveniently. These packages include the “Cool Summer X Instagrammable Ice Treats” package (沁涼消暑X網美冰品套票), allowing visitors to explore Keelung’s attractions and taste local ice treats; the “Keelung Star X Souvenir Combo” package (基隆之星X好禮相伴套票), which offers ferry tickets and local souvenirs; and the “Stay a Night in Keelung X Specialty Accommodation “package (來去基隆住一晚X特色住宿套票), giving travelers an opportunity for an in-depth experience and unique lodging.
Through this event, the Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism not only aims to boost tourism and economic development but also hopes to showcase Taiwan’s rich cultural resources to more international tourists, thereby increasing Keelung’s visibility in the global tourism market. Keelung City will continue to optimize its tourism facilities and services to welcome visitors from around the world, ensuring that every visitor leaves with wonderful memories of this surprising city.
