Taiwan's "Sugar Painting Uncle," Bill Hsieh (謝永清), impressed visitors with his folk art performance at the Taiwan Pavilion during the opening day of the International Tourism Exchange Asia (ITB Asia) in Singapore today.
Sugar painting is a traditional Taiwanese folk art in which melted sugar is molded into intricate, edible designs.
Photo from Bill Hsieh’s Facebook
A British travel agency executive identified only as John was captivated by Hsieh's performance, stopping to take photographs and chat with staff from the booth.
He said that he knows Taiwan is a culturally diverse place known for its technology and cuisine, and hoped more international travelers would have the chance to visit.
Cultural experiences play a key role in promoting tourism, as they help shape a distinctive international image for Taiwan, said Paul Shih (施志忠), director of the Tourism Administration's Singapore office.
Taiwan's pavilion, themed "Waves of Wonder," is organized by the Tourism Administration to help Taiwanese businesses connect with global buyers.
As Asia's travel market expands rapidly, ITB Asia has become the region's most influential business-to-business platform, Shih said.
Now in its 18th year, ITB Asia is being held at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, from today to Friday, and features thousands of companies from across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, representing every segment of the global travel industry, the Web site says.
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