Taiwan's tourist market has good potential and the number of Taiwanese travelers visiting Alaska is growing steadily despite the economic downturn, said the trade representative of the Taipei-based State of Alaska Office Monday. The number of visitors from Taiwan to Alaska is pretty steady, some growth but very steady, given that there is some decline in other markets, Erick Kish told the Central News Agency at a news conference to launch Japan Airlines (JALs) summer aurora viewing tours to Fairbanks, Alaska. An average of 5,000 people travel from Taiwan to Alaska annually. While most of them join cruises, a growing number of travelers are taking advantage of China Airlines' direct flights to Anchorage, according to Kish. With the launch of the JAL aurora tours, Kish expressed confidence that more Taiwanese people will choose to visit Alaska. Hiroshi Yamato, JAL Taiwan director of passenger sales, said on the same occasion that last December Taiwan became the first country to which JAL extended its charter service to Fairbanks. That service received great response from Taiwanese customers, he said. This summer, JAL will offer five charter flights, leaving on Aug. 17, 22, 27 and Sept. 1, 7 from Taipei to Fairbanks via Tokyo, and more seats will be given to Taiwanese tourists if the demand continues to grow, Yamato added. According to the State of Alaska Office, August and September are the best times to visit Alaska because the weather is pleasantly cool then and there are many clear nights, which are perfect for viewing aurora borealis, or northern polar lights. In addition, visitors to Alaska at that time can choose from a wider variety of activities than if they were to visit in the winter. These include wildlife viewing, glacier cruise tours, airplane and helicopter tours, river rafting and biking, the Office said. The State of Alaska Office in Taiwan is an official representative office of the Alaska state government that promotes tourism, trade, investment and educational exchanges between the two sides. 