Taiwan President Lai Ching-te attended the opening ceremony of the “2026 Taiwan Food Expo” today (July 31), expressing that the government will continue to connect various elements such as food, tourist paths, and conventions to aim towards the goal of welcoming 10 million international tourists to Taiwan annually by 2030 and surpassing the new Taiwan dollar trillion mark in tourism revenue. The president also welcomed Taiwanese people to seize the opportunity to visit.
In the morning, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening ceremony of the “2026 Taiwan Food Expo” along with Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-kai, Commissioner of Hakka Affairs Gu Hsiu-fei, Minister of Finance Chuang Tsui-yun, Director of the National Palace Museum Hsiao Tsung-huang, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Chin-tsang, Honorary Chairman Yeh Chiu-lan and Chairman Chien Yu-an of the Taiwan Tourism Association, Representative Kazuyuki Kato of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Deputy Representative Gao Shang-yu of the Korean Representative Office in Taipei, and representatives from various foreign missions in Taiwan also attended the event.
President Lai Ching-te expressed his pleasure in attending the annual “Taiwan Food Expo” again, emphasizing the significance of the expo. He noted that food holds a special place in people’s lives, whether it’s the Paiwan tribe inviting everyone to eat together with melodious songs or the common Taiwanese greeting “Have you eaten?” The expo provides a great opportunity to taste various local cuisines and get to know the customs and traditions of Taiwan. Understanding a country’s culture often starts with tasting its local delicacies and learning about its people’s daily dining habits.
Furthermore, the “Taiwan Food Expo” serves as an important strategy in promoting Taiwan’s tourism industry. President Lai emphasized the importance of food in driving tourism, mentioning that last year nearly 8.6 million foreign tourists visited Taiwan, with expectations of surpassing that number this year. The goal is to reach 10 million international tourists annually by 2030 and achieve the target of surpassing trillion Taiwan dollars in tourism revenue.
President Lai Ching-te also mentioned the recent launch of “Twalk Taiwan,” a plan to develop 6 tourist paths to attract foreign travelers to Taiwan. By connecting diverse tourism experiences such as food and hiking trails, the government aims to attract more international tourists to Taiwan.
Moreover, President Lai highlighted the government’s efforts to integrate conventions and tourism industries. Using the Taipei International Computer Show (COMPUTEX) as an example, he mentioned the opportunity to transform international professionals who attend the exhibition in Taiwan into tourists who can explore local cuisines, go hiking, and experience the local culture across the island. This integration is a direction the government will continue to work towards in the future.
President Lai Ching-te concluded by emphasizing the significance of food in fostering friendships. He shared an example of Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios visiting Taiwan, where he not only toured TSMC but also enjoyed local Taiwanese cuisine at a restaurant in Tainan, creating unforgettable memories. President Lai stressed the importance of serving local Taiwanese cuisine, especially humble dishes, to foreign dignitaries when they visit Taiwan.
In closing, President Lai Ching-te expressed his best wishes for the success of the “Taiwan Food Expo” this year, encouraging people nationwide to take this opportunity to visit, believing that everyone will have a fulfilling experience. He then participated in the ceremonial launch with VIP guests and toured the exhibition booths.