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Kaohsiung Mascot Hero Bear Goes International! Kaohsiung Hot Air Balloon Makes Its First International Appearance at the 2025 Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Post date:2025-02-24
Update:2025-04-24
Viewing Count 25
Kaohsiung Mascot Hero Bear Hot Air Balloon Takes Flight Internationally! After its debut at Love River last year, Kaohsiung City's first IP-shaped hot air balloon has successfully attracted crowds. This year, it participated in Thailand's "2025 Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta" in Chiang Rai alongside 22 balloons from 13 countries. With its adorable design and the English words "TAIWAN" and "Kaohsiung Love" on its body, Kaohsiung mascot Hero successfully captured the attention of international tourists, effectively enhancing Kaohsiung's city brand image and international tourism promotion.
Tourism Bureau Director Kao, Min-lin stated, Kaohsiung is Taiwan's premier tourism brand,attracting 69.23 million tourists last year, ranking first nationwide. Kaohsiung Mascot Hero Bear also successfully claimed the title of Taiwan's most popular mascot last year. To expand the City's IP economy, Kaohsiung specially commissioned world-renowned hot air balloon manufacturer Ultramagic to create the 3D "Hero" hot air balloon, which stands 28.3 meters tall with a volume of 3,400 cubic meters and can carry up to 1,173 kilograms. The Hero Bear hot air balloon features a cute smiling face symbolizing Kaohsiung's sunshine and warmth, complemented by outstretched arms embracing a heart, representing its warm welcome to visitors from around the world. The balloon's body is printed with "Kaohsiung Love" and "TAIWAN," bringing more exposure and attention to Taiwan and Kaohsiung.
Kao, Min-lin mentioned that for Hero's overseas debut, the City chose Southeast Asia's largest balloon event, the "Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta" in Chiang Rai, Thailand, which has been held for ten consecutive years. On Valentine's Day (February 14th), the organizers presented the Hero hot air balloon with a heart shape and the word "Love" on its body. It became the center of attention during balloon displays, night projection mapping, hot air balloon flights, and technical challenge competitions. The organizers specially introduced the Hero hot air balloon with aviation registration number B-94520, which in Taiwanese and Chinese contexts sounds like "Simply Love You," receiving great popularity and affection. It successfully attracted 15 couples and newlyweds who eagerly took photos and experienced rides.
The Tourism Bureau pointed out that Kaohsiung attracted 69.23 million tourists last year, an overall increase of 11.8% compared to 2023 and 97.6% compared to pre-pandemic levels (2019). Among them, international tourists reached 1.36 million. There were nearly 30 thousand Thai tourists staying in Kaohsiung, which increased by 350% compared to 2021. To boost post-pandemic tourism, Director Kao, Min-lin actively invited Kaohsiung's accommodation, hotel, and restaurant tourism industries to form the "Kaohsiung Tourism Team." In October 2023, she led a delegation to Bangkok, Thailand, to hold tourism marketing promotions, successfully triggering a tourism boom in Kaohsiung and facilitating multiple new "Kaohsiung-Thailand" direct flights and tourism opportunities.
Currently, flight routes between Kaohsiung and Thailand include "Kaohsiung-Bangkok" and "Kaohsiung-Chiang Mai," which resumed in January this year. As of February 2025, there are 25 one-way flights to Bangkok weekly, operated by China Airlines, Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, and Thai Lion Air. There is one weekly flight to Chiang Mai, operated directly by Thai Lion Air. In the future, the Tourism Bureau will continue to promote flight additions and tourism exchanges to enhance travel convenience between Kaohsiung and Thailand, attracting more tourists from Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries to visit Kaohsiung.
The Tourism Bureau stated that Kaohsiung mascot Hero's international hot air balloon debut was a great success! Through Hero's super cute design, Kaohsiung City Government has successfully connected with international tourism markets and showcased the City's charm. In the future, the City will continue to promote international tourism, allowing more people from all over the world to see Taiwan and fall in love with Kaohsiung!
For more information about these activities, please visit the official Kaohsiung Travel website, Facebook and Instagram.
Tourism Bureau Director Kao, Min-lin stated, Kaohsiung is Taiwan's premier tourism brand,attracting 69.23 million tourists last year, ranking first nationwide. Kaohsiung Mascot Hero Bear also successfully claimed the title of Taiwan's most popular mascot last year. To expand the City's IP economy, Kaohsiung specially commissioned world-renowned hot air balloon manufacturer Ultramagic to create the 3D "Hero" hot air balloon, which stands 28.3 meters tall with a volume of 3,400 cubic meters and can carry up to 1,173 kilograms. The Hero Bear hot air balloon features a cute smiling face symbolizing Kaohsiung's sunshine and warmth, complemented by outstretched arms embracing a heart, representing its warm welcome to visitors from around the world. The balloon's body is printed with "Kaohsiung Love" and "TAIWAN," bringing more exposure and attention to Taiwan and Kaohsiung.
Kao, Min-lin mentioned that for Hero's overseas debut, the City chose Southeast Asia's largest balloon event, the "Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta" in Chiang Rai, Thailand, which has been held for ten consecutive years. On Valentine's Day (February 14th), the organizers presented the Hero hot air balloon with a heart shape and the word "Love" on its body. It became the center of attention during balloon displays, night projection mapping, hot air balloon flights, and technical challenge competitions. The organizers specially introduced the Hero hot air balloon with aviation registration number B-94520, which in Taiwanese and Chinese contexts sounds like "Simply Love You," receiving great popularity and affection. It successfully attracted 15 couples and newlyweds who eagerly took photos and experienced rides.
The Tourism Bureau pointed out that Kaohsiung attracted 69.23 million tourists last year, an overall increase of 11.8% compared to 2023 and 97.6% compared to pre-pandemic levels (2019). Among them, international tourists reached 1.36 million. There were nearly 30 thousand Thai tourists staying in Kaohsiung, which increased by 350% compared to 2021. To boost post-pandemic tourism, Director Kao, Min-lin actively invited Kaohsiung's accommodation, hotel, and restaurant tourism industries to form the "Kaohsiung Tourism Team." In October 2023, she led a delegation to Bangkok, Thailand, to hold tourism marketing promotions, successfully triggering a tourism boom in Kaohsiung and facilitating multiple new "Kaohsiung-Thailand" direct flights and tourism opportunities.
Currently, flight routes between Kaohsiung and Thailand include "Kaohsiung-Bangkok" and "Kaohsiung-Chiang Mai," which resumed in January this year. As of February 2025, there are 25 one-way flights to Bangkok weekly, operated by China Airlines, Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, and Thai Lion Air. There is one weekly flight to Chiang Mai, operated directly by Thai Lion Air. In the future, the Tourism Bureau will continue to promote flight additions and tourism exchanges to enhance travel convenience between Kaohsiung and Thailand, attracting more tourists from Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries to visit Kaohsiung.
The Tourism Bureau stated that Kaohsiung mascot Hero's international hot air balloon debut was a great success! Through Hero's super cute design, Kaohsiung City Government has successfully connected with international tourism markets and showcased the City's charm. In the future, the City will continue to promote international tourism, allowing more people from all over the world to see Taiwan and fall in love with Kaohsiung!
For more information about these activities, please visit the official Kaohsiung Travel website, Facebook and Instagram.
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