Daily direct flights now operate between Taichung and Incheon, Korea. Coupled with the fact that over 310,000 Korean tourists visited Taiwan between January and March this year, the Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau is leveraging this momentum to actively expand into the Korean market. In collaboration with T’way Air, the bureau hosted a familiarization tour for Korean travel industry representatives and prominent media staff members from June 17 to 20. This familiarization tour was made possible through the joint efforts of T’way Air, the Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau, the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration, and the Changhua County Government’s Department of City and Tourism Development. The group explored key tourism highlights throughout central Taiwan, deepening their understanding of the region. The initiative aims to boost the willingness of Korean travel agencies to promote central Taiwan packages, thereby strengthening inbound tourism from Korea and advancing the growth of the region’s tourism industry.

Director Chen Mei-Hsiu of the Tourism and Travel Bureau noted that in addition to T’way Air operating seven flights weekly on the Taichung–Incheon route, Korean Air also operates seven flights weekly on the same route. Furthermore, the Taichung–Jeju route, serviced by Tigerair Taiwan, began ticket sales on June 9 and offers two flights per week. Korea has now become one of Taichung’s key international tourism markets. Taichung is actively targeting the Korean market by encouraging Korean visitors to take advantage of the convenient and time-saving “fly in and out of Taichung” model. In addition to its well-connected urban transportation, Taichung also serves as a major transportation hub for central Taiwan.

Director Chen noted that the Korean familiarization group, consisting of 11 travel industry and media representatives, experienced a carefully curated itinerary showcasing the best of central Taiwan within a compact timeframe. Their visit included key attractions in Taichung’s urban area, such as Calligraphy Greenway, Rainbow Village, and Fengjia Night Market; in the Tun District, highlights included Jukuiju Mansion, Wu-Feng Farmer's Association Distillery, Wufeng Lin Family Garden, and Wufeng Golf Course. In the mountainous areas, they visited the Houfeng Bikeway, Gonglaoping, and Houli Horse Ranch. The group also enjoyed experiences such as the double-decker sightseeing bus, fruit picking, traditional costume photography in qipao and hanbok, and a taste of Taichung’s renowned Umai Yakiniku. The tour extended into Changhua as well, fully demonstrating Taichung’s strategic geographic advantage in driving collaborative tourism development across central Taiwan.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau noted that the familiarization tour also included collaboration with local hospitality providers. Special thanks were extended to Evergreen Laurel Hotel, a long-standing player in Taichung’s hotel industry, and its new brand, halo house, for their joint support. Director Chen hosted a welcome dinner last night at Evergreen Laurel Hotel, inviting local tourism stakeholders to engage in lively exchanges with the Korean group. The dinner provided an opportunity for both sides to explore the tourism potential and market opportunities, fostering future cooperation and partnerships between Korean travel representatives and Taichung’s tourism industry.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau added that Taichung is currently served by two Korean routes: the Taichung–Incheon route, operated with daily direct flights by both T’way Air and Korean Air, and the Taichung–Jeju route, set to launch on July 1 by Tigerair Taiwan. Together, these routes will offer a total of 16 flights weekly. Travelers are also reminded that until December 31, passengers presenting a Korean Air boarding pass can enjoy exclusive discounts from participating local businesses in Taichung. Korean visitors are warmly encouraged to take advantage of this promotion and explore the diverse beauty of Taichung—where mountains, coastlines, rural landscapes, and vibrant urban life converge. Whether indulging in authentic cuisine, discovering historic sites, or enjoying a shopping spree, visitors are sure to experience the warmth and charm that make Taichung unique. For more information on the available offers, please visit the “Taichung Tourism” website (https://travel.taichung.gov.tw/zh-tw/event/activitydetail/9755).