Central News Agency (CNA, Reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, June 30) The government is vigorously promoting tourism as a pillar of national development. Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun stated today that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its tourism brand image by attracting global visitors through half-day transit tours, convention and exhibition-related tourism, and cruise tourism. The targets for this year are 9.3 million tourist arrivals and a total tourism output value of NT$900 billion. The Executive Yuan, in a press release, stated that Cheng Li-chiun, presiding over the 5th meeting of the "Executive Yuan Tourism Industry Revitalization Consultation Conference" today, pointed out that tourism is an important soft power for Taiwan. Following the launch of the "Peak of the Tropic of Cancer Flagship Project - Smiling South Bay IN Taiwan" last year, the "Trek Taiwan Twalk" project will be launched this year, aiming to establish "Smiling South Bay" and "Trek Taiwan" as Taiwan's two new international tourism brand names. Cheng Li-chiun said that the government will actively strive to host more major international exhibitions and conferences in Taiwan. By integrating cross-ministerial resources for international exhibitions and conferences, the goal of "driving tourism through exhibitions and promoting consumption through tourism" will be achieved. Concurrently, in line with Premier Cho Jung-tai's policy of expanding domestic demand, a "Tourism Dual-Wheel Drive" plan will be introduced. Through weekday domestic travel discounts and strengthening international tourism momentum, the market scale will be expanded and domestic tourism industry growth will be promoted. She stated that the government will continue to strengthen Taiwan's tourism brand image this year, attracting global visitors through half-day transit tours, convention and exhibition-related tourism, and cruise tourism, with the targets of 9.3 million tourist arrivals and a total tourism output value of NT$900 bi