City Mayor Shiow-Yen Lu has actively adopted various methods to demonstrate her determination to grow the economy. During this summer vacation between July 10th and August 18th, visitors who shop in Taichung at a value of NTD500 are eligible to win big prizes including a luxurious house with a value of NTD 10 million and two imported cars worth NTD 1 million and more, three domestically manufactured cars, a stay at six Presidential Suites, six fashionable e-scooters and more free gifts. Additionally, during the event, potential home buyers who visit any house in Taichung are also eligible for lucky draws. If they successfully buy a house, they will enjoy free gifts. During the Festival, “lucky draw events will be held weekly and more events are organized each week.” The Festival is expected to attract more than four million visitors and create business opportunities worth of million dollars.

The Tourism Bureau, Economic Development Bureau, Urban Development Bureau today (the 14th) jointly organized the press conference for the first “Taichung Shopping Festival” and announced to expand cooperation with local business districts, industrial associations, department stores, and tourism-related sectors this summer to promote thematic events of tourism and shopping. Models showcased commodities sold in Taichung at the opening fashion show. Sandy Wu, the hostess of the new generation TV shopping programs and the winner of best variety show host in the Golden Bell Awards, was invited to promote the event with the participation of a large crowd.

Attendees of the event included Mayor Lu, the performing artist, Sandy Wu, City Councilmen Zan Ling-Hsuan, Liu Shi-Chou, and Chen Wen-Cheng, Secretary General, Huang Chong-Dian, Director of Tourism Bureau, Lin Shiau-Chi, Direct of Economic Development Bureau, Kao Ssu-Hsiang, and Director of Urban Development Bureau, W. B. Huang while City Councilmen Cheng Cheng-Hsian, Huang Ren, and He Min-Cheng also sent their representative to the event.

Mayor Lu said that at present, around the world, there are three shopping festivals respectively in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Italy and Taichung will have the 4th one organized by the city government to promote the urban economy.

Taichung is a food, entertainment, and livable paradise and in order to welcome your visit to Taichung, the city government has allocated budgets and raised funds to give away five top class cars worth millions of dollars. Each week, a lucky winner will win a one night stay at the Presidential Suite. Last week, a luxurious house with a value of ten million dollars was the prize of the lucky draw. The city government will pay the relevant taxes to remove the burden from the winners. Between July 10th and August 18th, “the First Taichung Shopping Festival” will warmly welcome friends around the world to Taichung.

As announced by Mayor Lu, “We welcome you to Taichung!” The 1st Taichung Shopping Festival allows visitors to enjoy “discounts everywhere in Taichung.” Currently, various businesses that chose to take a part and more will join the event to seize the opportunities to grow Taichung’s economy. Now is March and before July 10th when the Festival begins, more gifts of lucky draws will be offered. Thus, remember to buy more and win more lucky draw gifts. You will have the chance to win a luxurious house worth 10 million. Taichung is an ideal destination to dine, to buy, to play, and to live. Everyone is welcome to Taichung.

According to Sandy Wu, the performing artist, she often rides the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) to shop at business districts, night markets, Eliste Park Lane, Lihpaoland, and Mitsui Outlet Park. She will shop at the Department Store on the opposite site of Taichung City Government Bldg after the event. She will definitely come to the attractive Taichung Shopping Festival and if she is the lucky winner of the luxurious house, she will “enjoy the surprise” and will not share the gift with others. Do come to Taichung to shop and win prizes.

Lin Shiau-chi said the 1st Taichung Shopping Festival mainly targets consumer groups of all ages to shop in Taichung and enjoy events that include the Daan Sand Sculpture Music Festival favored by the youth, Taichung Hot Spring Festival for adults and the seniors and Taichung Animation Festival for players. Incorporated with gourmet food and discounts offered, businesses of the tourism sector work with the best effort to provide joyful shopping experiences in Taichung. It is suggested that between July and August, trips for three days and two nights should be planned in advance. Taichung is definitely the ideal destination for your summer this year.

The Economic Development Bureau chief also said that during her visit to Hong Kong in the end of past January to promote Taichung’s economy, Mayor Lu saw shopping discount information distributed on the streets in Hong Kong. The clustering effect suddenly made Hong Kong a passionate and popular shopping paradise. Taichung has an area of scale two times larger than Hong Kong. With abundant and diverse tourism resources such as department stores and business districts that offer the best tourism and shopping experiences, Taichung has attracted more than 20 million visitors to shop here. Through this shopping festival event, more businesses are expected to join to build the image of a friendly shopping environment in Taichung to let domestic and international visitors to know and come to Taichung.

Additionally, during the event, potential home buyers who visit a reception center for pre-selling house or a service center for new houses will be eligible to join the lucky draws. Gifts will also be given by constructors if a house is sold during the event. Do come and visit your dream house in Taichung. For more event information, please contact Mr. Zou of Tourism Bureau, Taichung City Government at 04-22289111 extn. 58301.