Tourists snatch up Big Apple-logo souvenirs when they go to New York City or T-shirts emblazoned with the Eiffel Tower on a trip to Paris, but what icons representing Taipei can tourists take home?
Taipei's Department of Information launched a new line of souvenirs yesterday whose design is based on the word "Taipei," in a bid to enhance tourists' impressions of the city.
The "Taipei style" souvenirs, including T-shirts, backpacks, caps and ties, feature a logo that blends famous landmarks such as the 101 Mall and the North Gate into the word "Taipei."
A curved line that crosses the word represents the city's MRT system, according to Bright Ideas Design, a design company that helped the city government design the logo.
"Visitors would buy Big Apple-logo souvenirs in New York City, but there is no such merchandise that represents the character of Taipei," Taipei Information Department Director Lo Chih-cheng (
Addressing the launch ceremony, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
In addition to the city government's products, shirts featuring celebrities were also showcased at the ceremony, including a T-shirt donated by Ma, New York Yankees pitcher Wang Chien-ming (王建民), film director Ang Lee (李安) and others.
Each celebrity shirt featured the figure's comments on the city and their signature.
The celebrity shirts, however, are not for sale. They will be stored at the Taipei Discovery Center and Taipei Physical Education College.
Several companies, including Starbucks, also displayed products featuring Taipei that ranged from postcards, to calendars and mugs at yesterday's ceremony.
Tony Tseng (
Calendars designed by another company feature Taipei's cityscape, with introductions in both Chinese and English.
The "Taipei-style" souvenirs will be sold at the city hall's gift shop.
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