“Want to experience the world’s reality with your own hands” — Cathay Pacific sponsors 11 travelers to fly to five continents

Reporter You T-Ru / Taipei reporting and photography

“While traveling, I’ve met many foreigners who had never heard of Taiwan or knew where it was, but because of the enthusiasm I showed, they said to me: ‘I want to go to Taiwan.’” Zhang En-ci, who is about to travel to Sri Lanka, chose it as her first overseas destination. She said she hopes to experience the world’s reality with her own eyes and hands.


▲ Eleven travelers sponsored by Cathay Pacific for their air tickets pose for a photo with Lu Xuehai, chairman of the World Citizens Association, and Luo Yingyi, general manager of Cathay Pacific.

What kind of change can an airline ticket bring to young people? Organized by the World Citizens Association, the “World Citizens Island: Travel with a Mission” campaign has sent 129 travelers to fulfill their dreams around the world. The 11 travelers departing in June will head to Eswatini, Sri Lanka, London, Nepal, Malaysia, Bahrain, and other destinations, hoping to see the world with their own eyes.

Lu Xuehai, chairman of the World Citizens Association, said: “Sponsoring 129 young Taiwanese to travel around the world, the most difficult part of the process was securing the air tickets. We sought sponsorships for one ticket at a time, all to give more young people the courage to explore the world and the opportunity to discover it.” Lu pointed out that sponsoring 129 young people to travel globally through the “World Citizens Island: Travel with a Mission” campaign is a global first, and also shows the many possibilities for development among Taiwan’s youth.

 
▲ Left image: Lu Xuehai, chairman of the World Citizens Association, speaks; right image: Luo Yingyi, general manager of Cathay Pacific Taiwan and Korea.

Luo Yingyi, general manager of Cathay Pacific Taiwan and Korea, said she often thinks about how to inspire people to pursue their dreams. This time, Cathay Pacific sponsored a total of 11 air tickets, enabling young people to go abroad and chase their dreams, while also witnessing the hope and confidence of Taiwan. “I hope the travelers can find the essence of life through facing challenges.”

“Action isn’t everything, but it is the most beautiful memory of life.” Xie Jun-hong, a traveler heading to Eswatini, will visit a country where the disparity between rich and poor classes and living environments is stark. Having never been abroad before, he is full of anticipation for the future and is taking his first step into the world with the help of an airline ticket.