The 2025 Tourism Festival Celebration and Awards Ceremony
The Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), held the Tourism Day Celebration today (10/Feb/2025) at the Grand Hotel Taipei, honoring 157 domestic and international tourism organizations and professionals. The “Taiwan Tourism Special Contribution Award” was presented to King Liu, founder of Giant Group, by Executive Yuan Secretary-General Gong Ming-xin, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Taiwan’s tourism. In his remarks, Gong noted that prior to the Lunar New Year the Executive Yuan convened a “Consultative Meeting on Revitalizing the Tourism Industry” to further strengthen communication and collaboration among central ministries, local governments, and private-sector stakeholders. He expressed the hope that industry–government–academia partnerships will elevate Taiwan’s tourism competitiveness so that overseas visitors will “come again, get to know Taiwan, and fall in love with Taiwan.”
Gong added that, on behalf of the Executive Yuan, he thanks and congratulates all awardees. He emphasized that the Executive Yuan is a strong supporter of the tourism sector. Last year it approved the tourism program under the “National Hope Project,” positioning tourism as a major national policy. Through the Executive Yuan’s Economic Development Committee and six regional flagship initiatives, the government is promoting low-carbon sustainability and green tourism.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai remarked that this year marks the 48th Tourism Festival Awards ceremony, symbolizing a steady and balanced year for Taiwan tourism. Despite earthquakes and typhoons in 2024, he thanked industry partners for their efforts in promoting Taiwan and acknowledged the Executive Yuan’s support. He noted that the Tourism Administration completed revitalization work in Hualien and Taitung and has been laying a solid foundation for the tourism environment. In 2025, it will continue to drive a dual-track transformation of “sustainable resilience” and “digital innovation.”
Chen stressed that Taiwan’s tourism must not only develop steadily but also shine—aiming to build tourism into a NT$1-trillion industry. By working together to expand and upgrade the market, Taiwan can foster a climate for sustainable operations and shape the island as a “close-to-the-mountains, close-to-the-sea, and fun to circle-the-island” destination, taking Taiwan tourism to the world hand in hand with all sectors.
According to the Tourism Administration, this year’s “Taiwan Tourism Special Contribution Award” was specially conferred on Giant Group founder King Liu. Upholding the vision of being “uniquely Taiwan, uniquely global,” he created the GIANT brand and built Giant Group into a world-leading bicycle enterprise, a source of pride for Taiwan’s industry.
The Administration further noted that, beyond actively promoting cycling and leading by example, King Liu has strongly supported local cycling events and development. In partnership with the government, he helped establish the YouBike public bicycle system, creating a convenient public transport network for visitors, spurring bicycle tourism, and enhancing Taiwan’s international image in green energy and environmental protection—tangible contributions to Taiwan’s tourism that merit recognition.
The Tourism Administration also announced the inaugural “Sustainable Tourism Promotion Contribution Award,” which honors pioneers in advancing sustainable tourism in Taiwan, including Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy Chairman Eugene Chien, FDC International Hotels Corporation Chairman Sheng (Peter) Chih-jen, Ecotour Taiwan, Loya Tour, Toucheng Leisure Farm, and the Tourism and Travel Bureaus of the Taichung City Government and Tainan City Government, commending their leadership as role models driving sustainability across the industry.
