At an Oct. 18 press conference, Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Philip Yang unveiled the online contest “Say Hi to Taiwan with Your Photo and Win a Trip!” Shown at the press conference was a short film featuring the minister which highlighted Taiwan’s night markets in all their culinary splendor. The film has since been uploaded to YouTube and can be viewed on the Taiwan E-Government Portal at http://www.taiwan.gov.tw. Viewers are welcome to share and post the video on their own websites.

Minister Yang shared that Taiwan is home to beautiful scenery, world-renowned delicacies, stylish malls and boutiques, and friendly people. This is why Taiwan has become a favorite destination of travelers of all stripes. He expressed the hope that this contest will attract even more people from around the globe to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Taiwan.

The contest consists of three phases. In the first phase, “Say Hi to Taiwan,” foreign and local netizens may form a team and upload one photo expressing their creativity and love for Taiwan. This phase will run from Oct. 18 through Nov. 21. From Nov. 21 through Nov. 30, an online vote will decide the contest winners. The three teams that have posted the photos deemed “most creative” will win a NT$100,000 (US$3,300) travel allowance for use on a trip to Taiwan.

Cities and counties will then prepare tour packages involving sight-seeing, gastronomic delights, and take-home gifts as they vie to host the winners. In the second phase, “Get to Know Taiwan,” netizens will vote online to determine which three cities and counties will host the contest winners as part of their travel itinerary. This phase will run from Nov. 21 through Dec. 8.

In the third phase, “Fall in Love with Taiwan,” which will occur from Dec. 12 through Dec. 19, the three winning teams will tour Taiwan. They will act as “reporters” for the Taiwan E-government Facebook page during their stay by posting travel notes and reflections daily. By doing so, they will introduce Taiwan’s many faces to the global community.

Minister Yang further pointed out that this event will help people around the world come to know Taiwan better, interest them in traveling to Taiwan, and encourage them to share what they learn with their peers. At the end of the three teams’ tour of Taiwan, the minister added, monetary prizes will be awarded for “best content,” “best photo” and “highest popularity.” Prizes are in the amount of NT$30,000 each.

This contest is also open to Republic of China citizens, the minister stressed. They can participate in the first and second stages of the activity by voting online and taking part in a prize drawing. Citizens may also form teams with their foreign friends and enter to serve as “ambassadors of congeniality.”

For contest details and to enter, please visit http://www.taiwan.gov.tw. Pick up your camera, take some creative photos and upload them to the “Say Hi to Taiwan” website for the chance to win a NT$100,000 travel allowance and other prizes for “best content,” “best photo” and “highest popularity.”