The 62-year-old Suzuyo Goto arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Saturday along with two friends for a six-day sightseeing trip.

After learning that she was the 4 millionth visitor, Goto could hardly contain her surprise and excitement, saying that after recovering from a serious illness in February, she decided to take a trip with her friends.

As part of an incentive program to encourage more tourists to visit Taiwan, the Tourism Bureau awarded Goto a debit card valued at NT$400,000 (US$12, 419) to be spent exclusively in Taiwan.

The 1 millionth, 2 millionth and 3 millionth visitors also received similar debit cards, but with lower values, when they arrived earlier this year.

Goto also received a commemorative certificate and souvenirs presented by David W. J. Hsieh, deputy director-general of the Tourism Bureau.

Despite the economic downturn, the number of tourists to Taiwan has grown this year, according to the Tourism Bureau. "The number of tourists to Taiwan has significantly outnumbered last year's (3.85 million) . The original target was 4.1 million visitors (this year) and now we estimate that it could be more than 4.2 million," Hsieh said.

The Tourism Bureau has set a target of attracting 4.5 million tourists for 2010, he added.

Taiwan, which has previously placed little focus on developing its tourism industry, has recognized in recent years that its abundance in natural scenic beauty and cultural assets can be used to encourage more tourists to come here and develop the tourism industry as a boost to the economy.

After the launch of the "Tour Taiwan Years 2008-2009" program that kicked off Feb. 15, 2008, the government invested NT$1 billion to boost foreign tourist arrivals.

Much of the growth in overseas tourists is due to mainland Chinese tourists, who were allowed to come to Taiwan in large numbers for the first time last year. Expanded direct flights between Taiwan and mainland China this year also led to more Chinese tourists coming here.

Goto and her friends are scheduled to visit the National Palace Museum in Taipei and sightsee in other cities, such as Hualien, Taichung and Kaohsiung.

(By Bian Chin-feng and Rachel Chan)