Yellow Duck Designer Hofman Visits Glory Pier, Estimated to Bring 3 Million Tourists to Kaohsiung

▲Yellow Rubber Duck designer Hofman pointed out the future orientation of the duck facing Glory Pier on September 6. (Photo / Kaohsiung City Government)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The first stop of the Yellow Rubber Duck’s Taiwan tour has been confirmed as Kaohsiung, where it will be exhibited at Glory Pier from September 19 to October 20. The Dutch designer of the duck, Florentijn Hofman, visited the site on September 6 to inspect the future display location and noted that the duck will face toward Glory Pier. The Yellow Rubber Duck attracted 8 million visitors when it was displayed in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour this year, and it is estimated that around 3 million people will visit during its one-month stay in Kaohsiung.

Hofman stated that after an initial survey and considering the viewing angles of visitors, the Yellow Rubber Duck will be displayed facing the entrance of Glory Pier so that all visitors can see different aspects of the duck. To authentically present the surrounding scenery of Glory Pier, the harbor will not be cleared during the duck’s exhibition period—only vessels close to the duck will be slightly relocated. The aim is to showcase the various facets of Glory Pier and offer different experiences through the presence of the Yellow Rubber Duck. During his inspection, Hofman also brought along a mini Yellow Duck to simulate positioning at the harbor and took spontaneous photos with his phone.

Kaohsiung City Government Information Bureau Chief Lai Rui-long, who accompanied the visit, said that in June this year, Deputy Mayor Lee Yung-te led a delegation from the Information Bureau to visit Hofman in Hong Kong to invite the Yellow Rubber Duck to Kaohsiung. At that time, they prepared five boxes of pineapple cakes made by champion baker Wu Pao-chun as gifts. Three of the boxes were given to Hofman to take back to the Netherlands for his family to enjoy the taste of Kaohsiung desserts. The deliciousness of the pineapple cakes left a deep impression on Hofman and his family, and his mother even expressed a desire to visit Kaohsiung herself.

When asked about his impression of Kaohsiung, Hofman instinctively said, “So hot!” He added that Kaohsiung is an interesting place, with its harbor and Love River showcasing the city’s diverse and beautiful scenery. He also mentioned that he took his family to the newly openedGolden Diamond and Triumph Night Marketsthe previous evening, where his children enjoyed shooting games and horse riding, experiencing authentic local culture in Kaohsiung.

The adorable design of the Yellow Rubber Duck has captivated children and driven parents into a “frenzy.” The Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau stated that it will plan 1–2 day Yellow Rubber Duck travel packages. Local tourism operators hope the event will boost tourist traffic, benefiting the accommodation and dining industries. Sectors such as transportation, food, and lodging could generate NT$1 billion in tourism revenue.

It has been reported that the city government revealed the licensing fee for bringing the duck to Kaohsiung exceeded NT$5 million, which was entirely sponsored by private enterprises. The duck will be authorized by Hofman to be locally manufactured by Taiwanese companies, and it will remain in Kaohsiung after the exhibition ends.

　　　　　　　▲The Yellow Rubber Duck attracted huge crowds in Hong Kong. (Photo / Provided by Li Fang-yu)