Malaysian singer and actress Nabila Razali has been chosen as Taiwan’s tourism ambassador for Muslim-majority nations this year, the Tourism Administration said yesterday.
Tourism Administration Deputy Director-General Chou Ting-chang (周廷彰) told a news conference in Taipei that 200,000 Malaysian tourists visited Taiwan from January to May, a 20 percent increase over the same period last year.
About 70 percent of the population in Malaysia is Muslim, which is also an important tourism market targeted by the administration, Chou said.
Photo: CNA
According to this year’s Global Muslim Tourism Index published by Mastercard and Crescent Rating, Taiwan is the third-best travel destination among nations not part of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Chou said, adding that with more than 400 restaurants and hotels having obtained halal certification, Taiwan is an attractive destination.
Tourism officials in 2018 launched a campaign called “Salam Taiwan,” or “Taiwan welcomes you,” to promote Taiwan as a tourist destination for Muslims.
“The latest promotional video uses the slogan ‘Jom Taiwan,’ which means ‘Come to Taiwan,’” Chou said. “Razali’s popularity in Malaysia is comparable to that of Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai (蔡依林). With her serving as our tourism ambassador, we hope to call on more Malaysian Muslims to travel to Taiwan.”
Razali told the news conference that many places in Taiwan are suitable for relaxation or for family travel.
The travel destinations that would make her want to visit Taiwan again are Sun Moon Lake, Bamboo Lake on Yangmingshan, Tainan’s Sicao Tunnel and Houbi Lake in Kenting National Park, she said.
They are ideal locations for taking pictures, she said, adding that her favorite food and drink are fried chicken and bubble tea.
The agency said it recommends that Muslim tourists come to Taiwan to experience the hot springs in winter and eat halal hot pot in Taichung.
Meanwhile, the agency said it plans to increase incentives for tourists from Thailand, Singapore, India, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations, such as by launching promotional offers allowing them to buy four tickets for the price of three.
The incentives could be announced next month, it said.
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