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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》 Lai vows cross-strait tourism based on dignity
President William Lai, third left, attends the opening ceremony of the Taipei Tourism Exposition at the Taipei World Trade Center yesterday. Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
SEEKING PEACE: The president said that it is his responsibility to safeguard stability across the Taiwan Strait and to promote economic development
By Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporter
President William Lai （賴清德） yesterday vowed to promote cross-strait tourism based on the principles of equality and dignity.
Lai’s statement at the opening of the Taipei Tourism Exposition came after the Executive Yuan announced that a ban on group tours to China would not be lifted this month, but already-arranged tours were allowed to proceed.
Through tourism, Taiwan can step onto the global stage while the world comes to Taiwan, Lai said at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1 during the opening ceremony of the expo, which ends on Monday.
The government is to work with the tourism industry to promote cross-strait tourism while upholding the goals of equality, dignity, mutual benefit and common prosperity, he said.
It is his responsibility to safeguard stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait, and promote economic development so that Taiwanese can live and work in peace and contentment, he said.
He said that the government would establish institutions to train tourism talent, and assist tourism operators in digital transformation and smart technology adoption to enhance competitiveness and reduce costs.
The central and local governments should promote tourism, Lai said, adding that occasions such as Computex Taipei next week and the World Masters Games in May next year are great opportunities for tourism.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has set up a booth at the expo to inform visitors about the safety measures it provides for Taiwanese traveling abroad.
In association with nine airlines, the ministry launched a prize draw at the expo, with entries open until 6pm tomorrow, it said.
By correctly answering questions on the official Line account of the ministry’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, participants have a chance to win prizes such as round-trip international air tickets, Microsoft Surface Go 3 tablets and prize bags, it said.
The winners would be drawn on the main stage at 11am on Monday, it said.
Other gifts such as luggage tags, wet wipes, reusable shopping bags and luggage straps would be given to people who complete activities related to travel safety at the booth, it added.
The expo is the biggest event of its kind in Taiwan in the first half of the year, with 250 domestic and foreign exhibitors, and an expected 300,000 visitors, organizers said.
Exhibitors include airlines, travel agencies and hotels, as well as 15 local governments and representatives from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Palau and Guam, they said.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
Dancers perform at the opening of the Taipei Tourism Exposition at the Taipei World Trade Center yesterday. Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
A woman poses at the Hong Kong booth at the Taipei Tourism Exposition at the Taipei World Trade Center yesterday. Photo: CNA
