A non-plussed US citizen was greeted yesterday by officials at CKS International Airport as the nation's 3 millionth tourist of the year, a title that came with a string of Taiwan-themed gifts.
With a mixture of confusion and excitement on his face, John Konrath, 60, was welcomed by Tourism Bureau Director-General Hsu Wen-sheng (
"When I saw five guys in uniforms approaching me, I thought, `I'm in trouble,'" the marketing consultant told reporters at a press conference later in the morning.
PHOTO: CHU PEI-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
"I thought it's because I'd smuggled in some chocolates in my bag," he said with a big laugh.
Konrath is no stranger to Taiwan. A former employee with Philips, he has come to the country on more than 10 occasions -- all on business. He also has a Chinese name that was inspired by Confucius, because the two were born on Sept. 28.
This was the first time Konrath had traveled to Taiwan for pleasure at his own expense -- and luck smiled.
The honor brings him prizes worth more than NT$100,000, including one night at Far Eastern Plaza Hotel with limousine transfers, a laptop computer, a piece of glass artwork, an Aboriginal hand-made hat and rice wine, a paper umbrella made in Meinung Township (
Konrath said that during his 10-day trip he would spend two days on the east coast and the rest of the time in Taipei.
He said that when he had been in Taiwan on business in the past, all he usually saw was the interiors of conference rooms.
"I'll definitely tell my friends to come to Taiwan. Perhaps I'll be the 5 millionth tourist here in 2008," he said.
On Monday, Taiwan welcomed the 1 millionth Japanese tourist in a similar
ceremony.
The Cabinet has pledged to double the number of foreign tourists visiting
the nation to 5 million by 2008.
Thanks to increased promotional and marketing campaigns in selected overseas
territories, the government is optimistic that the number of tourists will
reach 3.3 million by the end of the year, up from the original target of
3.25 million, with one-third of those originating from Japan, according to
Jean Huang (黃靜惠), director of the bureau's international affairs
division.
also see story:
Tourism officials eye old, young travelers
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