The Yilan Xinan Tourism Area Farewell and Matchmaking Event, highlighting the Northeast Coast tourism circle, showcased Yilan's sustainable agricultural tourism and brand expansion into the international tourist market.
The Northeast Coast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (hereinafter referred to as the Northeast Coast Administration) held the "Greater Northeast Coast Tourism Area Yilan Xinan Site Visit and Matchmaking Meeting" from October 29th to 30th, inviting travel agencies, channel partners, and opinion leaders to participate. The event aimed to promote the deepening and integration of tourism products within the tourism area, strengthen the tourism brand of Yilan, and expand the international tourist market through site visits and industry matchmaking exchanges. This familiarization tour, centered on a two-day trip along the Xinan River in Yilan, connects various locations including the bald cypress trees along the Anong River, the Xingjian Organic Farming Cooperative, the Xingbao Scallion Experience Farm, the Puyan Chili Food and Creative Museum, Chaoyang Community, Chaoyang Shop, Nan'ao Natural Fields, and the Chazitang Oil Factory, showcasing the diverse natural and cultural landscape of Yilan. Starting with the autumn colors along the Anong River, participants experience making sphagnum moss balls at the Xingjian Cooperative, feeling the joy of rural handicrafts firsthand. Afterwards, they head to the Xingbao Scallion Experience Farm, donning scallion farmer gear to harvest scallions and make Sanxing scallion pancakes, experiencing the charm of "from farm to table" food and agriculture education. The "Greater Northeast Coast Tourism Area Business Matching Meeting" held at the Shangri-La Dongshan River Resort Hotel brought together 12 representative sculpting businesses, GTS-certified businesses, and Muslim-friendly businesses from the Yilan area to showcase their offerings. These included Yilan Traditional Arts Park, Sanxing Yinliu Township, Su'ao Haipai Lifestyle Studio, Xingbao Scallion Experience Farm, Hattifa Estate, Yadian Fruit Factory, Xingyuan Tea Garden, Xingjian Organic Agricultural Cooperative, Zhongfu Winery, Dongshan Liangshi Agricultural Innovation Park, WildFun Exploration, and the Shangri-La Dongshan River Resort Hotel. The atmosphere was lively, with travel agency representatives actively discussing potential collaborations. The second day's itinerary delves into the Greater Nan'ao area, showcasing Yilan's ecological and sustainable agricultural spirit. The tour group first visited the Puyan Chili Food and Creative Center, receiving a brand management briefing and sampling chili ice cream. Next, they went to Chaoyang Community to enjoy hand-drip coffee and a guided tour. In the afternoon, they arrived at "Nan'ao Natural Fields," where farm owner Ah-Tsung personally guided them through a tour of the farm, demonstrating how natural farming methods promote eco-friendly agriculture. The tour also included a hands-on experience of sugarcane juicing, allowing them to deeply appreciate the unique natural scenery and tourism appeal of Nan'ao, Yilan. Finally, they visited "Cha Tzu Tang Oil Mill," where the entire process of bitter tea oil refining and the brand's sustainability philosophy were showcased. Travel industry professionals generally reported that through two days of on-site visits and networking, they gained a better understanding of the region's attractions, the depth of guided tours, and the quality of accommodations, showcasing Yilan's tourism strength in combining cultural heritage with natural sustainability. Travel agency representatives stated that the trip not only demonstrated the local businesses' dedication to product details and brand storytelling but also highlighted the maturity and international potential of the Greater Northeast Coast tourism area's overall planning. With future integration of transportation connections and cross-regional collaboration, it is poised to attract more international tourists from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Macau, allowing them to rediscover Yilan's Xinan landscape in a thematic and in-depth way, thus becoming a crucial engine for driving international marketing of the Greater Northeast Coast tourism area. Director Yu Li-yu of the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area Administration stated that she hopes this familiarization tour and matchmaking event will allow travel agencies to gain a deeper understanding of the abundant resources and hospitality capabilities of the Greater Northeast Coast tourism area. In the future, they can incorporate these distinctive tourism products into their itinerary design and packaging to attract more domestic and international tourists to experience them.