The Tourism Bureau has launched a campaign encouraging people to vote for the nation’s best night markets in five categories.
To increase participation, voters would be eligible for a draw, with prizes totaling NT$1 million, the bureau said.
Surveys show night markets are among the major attractions for foreign tourists, Tourism Bureau Deputy Director General David Hsieh (謝謂君) said.
A survey last year showed that 73 out of 100 foreign tourists had visited a night market during their stay.
The 10 night markets in the vote are: Miaokou (廟口) in Keelung; Taipei’s Shilin (士林), Huaxi Street (華西街) and Ningxia (寧夏); Fongchia (逢甲) in Taichung; Wunhua Road (文化路) in Chiayi; Huayuan (花園) in Tainan; Liouhe (六合) in Kaohsiung City; Jhonghua Street (中華街) in Kaohsiung County and Luodong (羅東) in Yilan County.
The 10 were selected by a group of judges recruited by the bureau from 30 night markets recommended by county and city governments.
Hsieh said participants can vote in five categories: Most “eco-friendly,” providing a clean environment and recycling waste products; most “tourist friendly,” offering clear directions for visitors; most “charismatic,” incorporating local cultural events into their operations; “most organized,” offering pedestrian paths and clearly defined business zones; and “best food.”
Voters will have to choose one market for each category, Hsieh said, adding that participants voting online would have a chance to win a NT$25,000 package tour around Taiwan.
He also said the bureau was scheduled to distribute 100,000 food vouchers to visitors from abroad this year to encourage them to try night market food.
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