Author Press Release
Photographer Culture and Tourism Bureau Keelung City
The Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism held a week-long promotion event for the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Coastal Keelung Route” (台灣好行——濱海奇基線) at the Herbis Ent Shopping Center in Osaka, Japan (September 24 to September 30, 2023). This event aimed to attract more Japanese people to learn about the unique charm of Keelung City and encourage local travelers to plan trips to Keelung. Through this promotion, Keelung City hopes to further expand its reach in the international tourism market, especially in Japan, a market with vast potential travelers.
Promoting Keelung Tourism Through Convenient Transportation
The “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Coastal Keelung Route” is an important tourism route in Keelung City, providing travelers with convenient transportation and allowing them to easily explore various attractions. Since its post-pandemic reopening on August 30, 2023, this route has been popular among domestic and international tourists alike. Whether enjoying beautiful ocean views or exploring cultural and historical sites, this route offers a rich travel experience. Key attractions along the route include Miaokou Night Market(廟口夜市), Keelung Fort Command(基隆要塞司令部), Xian Dong Yan Buddha 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).
During this promotional event in Osaka, the Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism not only screened a Japanese version of a promotional video specifically designed for the Japanese market but also prepared exquisite print materials. On-site, professional staff introduced the charms of the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Coastal Keelung Route” to the Japanese audience. The event also featured an interactive survey section, where participants who filled out the survey received canvas eco-bags printed with images of Taiwan attractions, drawing large crowds to stop by and participate.
Building the Keelung Tourism Brand by Reaching Out to Japanese Locals
The Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism reported that in 2023, Japanese tourist arrivals reached 928,235, making Japan Taiwan’s second-largest international tourism market. To further enhance Keelung City’s international reputation, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism planned this Osaka event to leave a lasting impression on Japanese tourists, particularly showcasing the Coastal Keelung Route, a sightseeing line rich in marine ecology education and cultural-historical attractions. This year, the department bundled local Keelung souvenirs, attraction tickets, and accommodation options to offer seven discounted package deals, allowing travelers to freely choose their preferred combinations.
The event received an enthusiastic response, with many local residents arriving to learn more as soon as it opened in the morning, especially housewives. During lunch and dinner hours, office workers created another peak in attendance. Some attendees remarked that they had long heard about Taiwan’s beautiful natural landscapes, and this event gave them a deeper understanding of Keelung’s unique charm, filling them with anticipation for a future trip to Keelung.
Building a Blueprint for Future Tourism
The Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism emphasized that similar promotional activities will continue to be held in the future, with plans to collaborate closely with local tourism operators to launch more exclusive tour packages tailored to the Japanese market. The goal is to make it easier for Japanese tourists to plan trips to Keelung. Keelung not only boasts rich natural landscapes but also has a deep cultural heritage. The Department hopes that, in the future, Keelung will become one of the must-visit destinations for Japanese travelers visiting Taiwan.
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Tourism stated that Keelung has a unique geographical location and abundant resources. They plan to enhance Keelung’s influence in the global tourism market through ongoing international promotional activities. With the convenient transportation provided by the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Coastal Keelung Route,” they are confident that more international tourists will be drawn to explore the endless possibilities in Keelung, thereby promoting the growth of the local tourism industry.
The Department looks forward to more collaboration opportunities in the future, working alongside other cities in Taiwan to promote international tourism. This initiative will not only contribute to Keelung’s economic development but will also showcase Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage to the world, bringing more tourism business and growth opportunities to Keelung.
