Taiwan teamed up with Google to create the "Anytime for Taiwan-Film Taiwan, Action!" tourism competition, a joint campaign between the search engine giant and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau to increase the East China Sea island's visibility in the the hyper-competative $1.4 trillion world tourism industy.

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An initiative also involving YouTube, travelers to Taiwan are invited to create on-line videos of their trips, in effect becoming a fleet of PR agents. Rather than come up with a snappy ad campaign, officials hope the competition will act as personalized, more intimate windows into Taiwanese culture. The grand prize winner gets an around-the-world airplane ticket.  

"The tourism industry plays a significant role in Taiwan's economic development," said David W. J. Hsieh, Director-General of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, who is jockeying to make Taiwan's attractions a global brand. "We believe that this global campaign is the best of two worlds, leveraging technology to bring innovation to the tourism industry."

"Anytime for Taiwan-Film Taiwan, Action!" comes amid a concerted push by Taiwan to distinguish itself as a world-class tourist destination, particularly to Western markets. Tourism infused $12.3 million USD into Taiwan's economy in 2013, and visitor numbers increased by 9.6 percent from the previous year to 8 million. While the 9 million visitors to the country expected in 2014 represent a respectable number and a larger economic impact, it is not unusual for Japan to take in 10 million tourists. Both are dwarfed by the whopping 55 million international tourists China attracted in 2013.

Tourism magnates in Taiwan are aiming for a bigger piece of the pie, and the Taiwan-Google campaign acknowledges more and more people are turning to the Internet and on-line sources such as YouTube for advice on where to go and what to see. 

"With people increasingly relying on the Web to dream up, research, and plan for their trips, the Internet can help share Taiwan's heritage and landscapes globally," said Scott Beaumont, Managing Director of Google Greater China.

Along with LED-spangled Taipei, towering mountains, hot springs, a thriving whiskey industry, pristine beaches, smog-free cities, and a warm, lush climate all act as lures to a diverse population of discriminating travelers hunting for a Far East locale. As one of the most socially progressive societies in Asia, tourism officials quick to promote Taiwan in the gay and lesbian travel niche.

Hsieh and Beaumont both point out the broad scope of the campaign; entries can cover Taiwan as a whole, or specific aspects such a local festival.

TagsTaiwan, Taipei, Taiwan Tourism