To boost Taichung City's reputation as an international travel destination and attract visitors from Southeast Asia, the city's Tourism and Travel Bureau organized a welcome dinner for 28 Malaysian Muslim travel agents. Invited by the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the agents embarked on a 6-day, 5-night tour aimed at enhancing familiarity with Taiwan's tourism offerings. On the 27th, the group explored the year-round floral beauty of the Zhongshe Flower Market, enjoyed a meal at the Golden Tulip Zhong Xin Hotel, and stayed at the Halal-certified Stay Hotel in Taichung.

Tourism and Travel Bureau Director Chen Mei-hsiu noted that according to statistics, Malaysian tourists accounted for 115,000 overnight stays in Taichung last year, ranking Malaysia among the city's top five international visitor markets. To further expand this market, the Bureau partnered with the Tourism Administration, MOTC, in August to invite Malaysian Muslim influencers Alana and her husband to promote Taichung's Muslim-certified attractions. In September, they participated in the MATTA Fair in Malaysia to actively promote Taichung's tourism spots to the Muslim travel market. Earlier this year, over 30 participants joined two Malaysian familiarization trips hosted by the Bureau, targeting media, online influencers, group travelers, and general tourists. Participants noted that Taichung serves as a key gateway for travel in Taiwan, offering convenient transportation and diverse accommodation options. The trip also facilitated connections with Halal-certified tourism businesses, sparking hopes for deeper partnerships in the future.

The welcome dinner brought together representatives from several tourism businesses that are Muslim-certified and offer relevant products, including Okuma Center, The Sun Hot Spring & Resort, Taiwan Miso Culture Museum, Carton King, and Howard Hotels, fostering opportunities for exchange. Additionally, the Malaysian familiarization group received a gift set of Isabelle’s Halal-certified French almond rowboat biscuit, aiming to enhance the appeal of Taichung to Malaysian Muslim tourists.

According to the Tourism and Travel Bureau, the Malaysian market is well-developed, and Taichung has become a key destination for Muslim travelers, thanks to its rich natural beauty and cultural heritage. As Taiwan's second-largest city, it offers numerous Muslim-friendly facilities such as prayer rooms at transportation hubs, a wide selection of Halal-certified restaurants, accommodations, and tourist sites. This makes Taichung a perfect place for Muslim tourists and travel agencies, ensuring that visitors enjoy both convenience and comfort during their stay. The Bureau aims to build a strong reputation for Taichung as a Muslim-friendly destination and hopes to attract even more Muslim tourists. The continued visits from Muslim travelers and familiarization groups from Malaysia and Indonesia this year showcase Taichung’s cultural inclusivity and highlight its potential and commitment to developing the Muslim-friendly tourism market.