The 10 winning entries of a promotion to spend the night in the Presidential Office compound comprise individuals from Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Poland, Thailand and the U.S. (Courtesy of GACC)
 

A total of 10 winning entries were announced Sept. 24 for a trailblazing sleepover promotion that grants a chance to stay in the Presidential Office compound.
 
Selected out of 167 entries from 33 different countries, the winners comprise individuals from Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Poland, Thailand and the U.S.
 
Organized by the PO, Taipei City-based General Association of Chinese Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and Taiwan Visitors Association, the promotion offers the winners a chance to stay in a 46-square-meter suite in the PO compound. Each of the 10 will stay for one night starting from Oct. 8 through the end of December.
 
GACC Deputy Secretary-General Lee Hou-ching said that since the competition opened Aug. 12, the promotional video has been viewed over 5 million times on YouTube. The concept has attracted international media attention from the likes of ABC News in Australia and The Times in the U.K, increasing Taiwan’s global exposure and highlighting the country’s diversity, friendliness and creativity, Lee added.
 
According to Lee, the panel of judges—comprising social commentator Chan Wei-hsiung, travel writer Rifat, renowned travel blogger Alston Hsu and various government officials— reviewed each entry based on its potential social media influence, creativity of its promotional video and how it intended to spotlight Taiwan.
 
Scheduled to arrive in early October, the first winning group will experience National Day celebrations in the Presidential Office compound.
 
Winners are also due to attend the daily flag-raising ceremony, tour the PO building and take part in a customized itinerary prepared by the GACC. (RAY-E)