Korean Visitors to Taiwan Hit Record High; Choi Jung-sik and Ivy Chen Host Beach Party

Reported by You Tzu-ju / Taipei



▲ Choi Jung-sik (right), Tourism Bureau’s Korea region endorser, and Ivy Chen.

The Tourism Bureau noted that the rapid growth in the number of Korean visitors to Taiwan, along with an increasing proportion of female travelers and independent travelers, prompted it since 2012 to tailor promotional strategies based on the travel behaviors of the Korean market. The Bureau invited Choi Jung-sik, a Korean actor known for his role as "Captain Yoon" in the Korean drama “The King 2 Hearts” and as the agency head in “Best Lee Soon-shin,” as well as Taiwanese actress Ivy Chen—both of whose works have garnered significant acclaim—to serve as tourism ambassadors for Taiwan. They starred in the microfilm “Thump Thump 24 Hours in Taiwan,” which depicts lifestyle and travel characteristics familiar to Koreans.

The film received positive feedback, sparking keen interest among Korean travelers in Taiwan’s distinctive cuisine and wellness-themed activities, which further led to programs such as “Grandpas Over Flowers” choosing Taiwan as a filming destination. In 2013, Korean visitor numbers to Taiwan reached a ten-year high of 351,301, a 35.59% increase. As of June 2014, the figure had already hit 262,814—an accumulated growth of 79.81%. This upward trend is evident across both group and independent travelers, indicating promising future growth potential in the Korean market.

To express gratitude for the growth of the Korean market and to further boost its momentum, the Tourism Bureau specially hosted the “Thanks Thump Thump (Plop Plop) Day – Kenting Summer Beach Party” event at 5:30 PM at the Kenting Chateau de Chine Beach Resort – Cape Plaza. The event featured live performances by indigenous performance groups, as well as barbecue and millet & mango sticky rice dishes, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.