TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Tourism Administration (交通部觀光署) welcomed three French reality TV stars on Wednesday (Oct. 8) for a six-day promotional visit designed to attract European tourists. Laurent Maistret, Brice Petit, and Ilyesse Benyoub from the survival show Koh-Lanta explored Taiwan's Northeast Coast and Yilan County through adventure activities. The strategic initiative targets Europe's relatively untapped tourism market for the island.
The celebrities participated in cliff diving, canoeing, rock climbing at Longdong (龍洞), and river tracing at Nan'ao (南澳), according to local guide Kang Yen-ping (康燕萍). Additional activities included stand-up paddleboarding at sunrise in Nanfang'ao (南方澳), exploring Indigenous culture at the Yilan Cultural and Creative Park (蘭陽原創館), and tea picking at local farms. The diverse itinerary showcased Taiwan's outdoor adventure opportunities and cultural heritage.
The Taipei Tourism Office in Germany (交通部觀光署駐德國辦事處) has actively pursued European market expansion amid low visitor numbers from the continent. Tourism Administration statistics show more than 85 percent of Taiwan's visitors originate from other Asian countries or the United States. European tourists represent a relatively untapped market with significant growth potential for Taiwan's tourism industry.
The tourism office has invited foreign media to Taiwan for promotional purposes since August. The French reality TV star initiative represents another strategic effort to attract international travelers through celebrity endorsements. Officials hope increased exposure will draw visitors interested in exploring Taiwan's diverse landscapes and cultural heritage. ◼