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Taiwan is aiming to attract high-spending tourists from Southeast Asia as the number of Chinese visitors has declined, potentially transforming the island's tourism industry. Despite tensions with China, more travellers from across Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, are visiting Taiwan than in pre-pandemic times, according to the Taiwan Tourism Administration.
The data shows visitors from Thailand have increased by 12%, those from Singapore have risen by 10%, and Malaysian tourists have returned to pre-Covid levels. Hotel revenue and the number of local travel agencies have also returned to pre-pandemic levels, indicating a recovery in the tourism sector despite the lower number of Chinese tourists.
Tourists from Singapore and Malaysia are looking for unique and higher-priced accommodations, said Lin Hsin-jen, deputy director-general of the Tourism Administration. Additionally, China's recent forceful measures, including the seizure of a fishing boat, aim to pressure Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te, who rejects China's sovereignty claims to the island. Return efforts
The number of total visitors to Taiwan in the first quarter is still down by 30% compared to 2019. In contrast, neighbouring Japan saw a record rise in inbound tourist numbers as the yen weakened. Taiwan's Tourism Administration is promoting the island to other regions, including Japan and the US West Coast, to boost tourism.
Japanese tourism to Taiwan is currently at 69% of 2019 levels, with many preferring to stay home due to the weak yen. Taiwan is encouraging the six million travellers who fly through its airports annually to explore the island, aiming to boost visitor numbers to 14 million by 2028 and achieve NT$1 trillion in annual tourism revenue.
Although tourism is a small part of Taiwan's tech-focused, export-driven economy, it provides vital employment, particularly in poorer rural and southern regions. The growing number of travel agencies reflects optimism about tourism growing again.
For example, before 2019, 30% of visitors to the Taiwan Glass Gallery in Changhua County were from China. Now, Southeast Asian tourists have increased attendance by 80% compared to 2019. These visitors spend more time and money at the gallery than previous Chinese tour groups. Similarly, pastry business Jiu Zhen Nan has recovered from the loss of Chinese customers and sales are returning to 2019 levels. "We lost Chinese customers in the past three years and were significantly affected by the pandemic," said general manager Richard Lee.
The data shows visitors from Thailand have increased by 12%, those from Singapore have risen by 10%, and Malaysian tourists have returned to pre-Covid levels. Hotel revenue and the number of local travel agencies have also returned to pre-pandemic levels, indicating a recovery in the tourism sector despite the lower number of Chinese tourists.
Tourists from Singapore and Malaysia are looking for unique and higher-priced accommodations, said Lin Hsin-jen, deputy director-general of the Tourism Administration. Additionally, China's recent forceful measures, including the seizure of a fishing boat, aim to pressure Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te, who rejects China's sovereignty claims to the island. Return efforts
The number of total visitors to Taiwan in the first quarter is still down by 30% compared to 2019. In contrast, neighbouring Japan saw a record rise in inbound tourist numbers as the yen weakened. Taiwan's Tourism Administration is promoting the island to other regions, including Japan and the US West Coast, to boost tourism.
Japanese tourism to Taiwan is currently at 69% of 2019 levels, with many preferring to stay home due to the weak yen. Taiwan is encouraging the six million travellers who fly through its airports annually to explore the island, aiming to boost visitor numbers to 14 million by 2028 and achieve NT$1 trillion in annual tourism revenue.
Although tourism is a small part of Taiwan's tech-focused, export-driven economy, it provides vital employment, particularly in poorer rural and southern regions. The growing number of travel agencies reflects optimism about tourism growing again.
For example, before 2019, 30% of visitors to the Taiwan Glass Gallery in Changhua County were from China. Now, Southeast Asian tourists have increased attendance by 80% compared to 2019. These visitors spend more time and money at the gallery than previous Chinese tour groups. Similarly, pastry business Jiu Zhen Nan has recovered from the loss of Chinese customers and sales are returning to 2019 levels. "We lost Chinese customers in the past three years and were significantly affected by the pandemic," said general manager Richard Lee.
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