No more getting lost on trips! With 361 “Ask-Me” stations island-wide, recommended by navigation-challenged celebrity Kiki (恺乐)

▲ The Tourism Bureau’s Ask-Me stations now number 361, with Kiki as the 2017 spokesperson. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wen-xuan)

Reported by Lai Wen-xuan / Taipei

The Tourism Bureau has promoted user-friendly travel services by setting up 361 “Ask-Me” stations across Taiwan, with plans to reach nearly 400 by the end of the year. These stations offer great places for travelers to get help besides local tourist information centers. This year, celebrity Kiki was invited to be the annual spokesperson. She shared that since her whole family are directionally challenged—even when driving with navigation, they still manage to get lost. But by just visiting an Ask-Me station, they can quickly find their way, which is super convenient!

▲ With more people traveling to Taiwan independently, the Tourism Bureau continues to promote Ask-Me stations for traveler consultations and free WiFi. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wen-xuan)

Tourism Bureau Deputy Secretary-General Lin Kun-yuan said that in recent years, over 60% of visitors to Taiwan have been independent travelers. In unfamiliar places, it’s easy to get lost or want to visit spots even more local than what guidebooks recommend. “Ask-Me stations” provide simple local tourism consultations and information services, along with free WiFi access so travelers from around the world can easily look up travel info.

The Tourism Bureau explained that as extensions of various levels of tourist information centers, Ask-Me stations currently number 361, with plans to reach nearly 400 by the end of the year. Many of these stations are located in spots that reflect local character and delve into neighborhood alleys—perhaps a well-known temple or a local snack shop—that better immerse travelers in the area.

▲ Kiki said that in the past, her dad would always get totally lost when driving, but now trips are smoother thanks to Ask-Me stations. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wen-xuan)

Celebrity Kiki said that because she hosts travel shows, she thought she had already visited all the big and small places in Taiwan. But while filming the new promotional video for the Ask-Me stations, she discovered there are even more unique local spots and shops. For example, during the shoot, she visited a calligraphy shop that also serves as an Ask-Me station and even got to try making a brush herself, which left a deep impression on her.

Kiki also mentioned that because her dad is directionally challenged, places that should take an hour to reach would often take them two hours. And even with navigation, it sometimes gives wrong directions or leads them down one-way streets. Now, by simply asking at an Ask-Me station, they can clearly figure out how to get somewhere—or where might be more fun to go.

▲ Many Ask-Me stations across Taiwan are located in uniquely local shops—a great way to explore the island. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wen-xuan)

To encourage the thoughtful and enthusiastic Ask-Me station managers, the Tourism Bureau will hold the third “Best Ask-Me Station Voting Event” this September, calling on travel-loving people to vote for their favorite stations. From now until October 31, simply go online to like and vote for your favorite Ask-Me station managers for a chance to win attractive prizes, with total awards exceeding NT$50,000.

Various Ask-Me stations will also distribute Oh Bear (喔熊) team leader sticker sets, featuring four regional designs (North, Central, South, and East), with 100 limited copies per station for visitors. Those who take a selfie with the sticker and post it on the Facebook fan page can also enter a raffle.

Ask-Me Station official website:http://www.taiwan-askme.tw/about