TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan and Japan will help each other with the marketing of their railway holidays, including special promotions, tourism officials said Saturday (July 20).

The move toward closer cooperation culminated with the signing of an agreement between rail tourism associations from both countries Saturday, per CNA. 

The Taiwan Railways Tourism Association (TRTA) counted nine members, including Taiwan Railways Corporation, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, the mass rapid transit companies from five major cities, the Alishan Forest Railway in Chiayi County, and the sugar industry railways.

On the Japanese side, the Japan Private Railway Association (JPRA) already provides free advertising and has launched trains painted with colorful ads for destinations in Taiwan. The new agreement will deepen cooperation between the two groups, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

As a result of the accord, travelers from both countries will be able to obtain more detailed information about train journeys in each other’s countries. 

The two groups can work out promotional activities and discount programs, while encouraging the linking up of existing travel cards, said TRTA Chair Chou Yung-hui (周永暉), who also serves as director-general of the government’s Tourism Administration.