STARLUX Airlines is set to launch its Taichung–Kobe route to deepen Taiwan-Japan tourism exchanges. As part of the promotional efforts, the Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau will lead a delegation to Japan this April, including representatives from Nantou, Changhua, and Miaoli counties. At the same time, the Kansai Tourism Bureau has demonstrated its strong focus on the central Taiwan market by organizing a 140-member delegation to visit Taichung yesterday (12th). The delegation comprised tourism officials from various Kansai prefectures, as well as representatives from travel agencies, hotels, and local attractions. During the event, the Kansai Tourism Bureau invited Tourism Bureau Director Chen Mei-xiu as a special guest. In her remarks, Director Chen highlighted the strong partnership between the two regions, stressing their joint efforts to boost tourism and achieve mutual success.
Kansai Tourism Bureau Director Shohei Ikemoto personally led the delegation and remarked during the event that the new air route has established Taichung and the Kansai region as key partners in tourism development. He highlighted that this promotional event serves as both a vital pre-launch campaign and a testament to the strengthened collaboration between the two regions, paving the way for closer tourism ties.
Tourism Bureau Director Chen Mei-xiu noted that the Kansai Tourism Bureau is the only cross-regional DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) in the Kansai area, encompassing two prefectures and eight counties, including popular destinations for Taiwanese travelers such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hyogo. She also pointed out that Tottori Prefecture has established a tourism partnership with Taichung City. Reflecting the strong ties between the two regions, Director Endo of the Shining Tottori Creation Bureau personally visited Taichung on February 11th.
According to the Tourism and Travel Bureau, the Kansai region is well known for its vibrant culture and cuisine, while Taichung offers a distinctive mix of mountains, coastlines, rural landscapes, and urban attractions. Both destinations are highly attractive to travelers from each region. With the launch of the Taichung–Kobe route, travel between the two regions will become more convenient, benefiting tourists and further strengthening their tourism industries. The bureau looks forward to leveraging this collaboration to attract more travelers and encourage mutual visits.
The Tourism and Travel Bureau also noted that to enhance tourism exchanges, the Taichung City Government is gearing up to visit Kobe in late April for a Central Taiwan tourism promotion event. The event will highlight Central Taiwan’s diverse tourism resources to attract more Japanese tourists and strengthen mutual tourism growth between Taiwan and Japan.