Taiwan is actively pursuing new avenues to attract Indian tourists, recognizing the vast potential of this burgeoning market. In a move to simplify travel processes and align with global trends, Taiwan is exploring the possibility of introducing visa-on-arrival for Indian travelers. This initiative is driven by the recognition of India’s significant outbound travel market, which ResearchAndMarkets.com predicts will reach a valuation of $13.4 billion by 2031.
However, before any final decision on visa-on-arrival, consultations with the immigration department are anticipated. The decision highlights Taiwan’s ambition to tap into the substantial outbound market of India, which currently ranks as the ninth-largest market globally for business travel expenditure and holds the fourth position in the Asia Pacific region.
The potential of India’s business travel sector is further underscored by a report from FCM Travel India, which found that 86% of Indian business travelers view travel as essential for achieving their business objectives. The Global Business Travel Association forecasts that India’s business travel spending will reach $38 billion this year, with a projected return to pre-2019 expenditure levels anticipated by 2025. India’s business travel sector saw a significant 25% surge in spending in 2023, reaching 78% of pre-pandemic levels.
To promote its tourism offerings to Indian travel trade professionals, Taiwan’s Tourism Administration launched the Taiwan Specialist Program in April. This initiative includes an e-learning program aimed at familiarizing professionals with Taiwan’s attractions. Further engaging with the Indian travel trade, Taiwan conducted a multi-city roadshow across Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, with a strong focus on the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment. Joseph Cheng, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration’s Singapore office, emphasized the growing importance of MICE travel, surpassing traditional business travel norms. Taiwan is keen on enhancing its offerings in this sector to cater to the preferences of Indian travelers.
India’s outbound travel market, exceeding 27 million people, sees 41% traveling for leisure and recreation, while 16% travel for business purposes, highlighting a substantial portion dedicated to MICE activities. FCM Meetings & Events India noted a notable resurgence in incentive trips, reporting a 30% increase in requests during the first quarter compared to the previous year.
In the latter half of this year, Taiwanese authorities will extend invitations to Indian businesses for exploratory visits to central and southern Taiwan. This initiative aims to deepen Indian companies’ understanding of Taiwan, fostering stronger collaboration between Taiwanese and Indian tourism sectors.
To actively cultivate the international tourist market, Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communication’s Tourism Administration is expanding its focus beyond traditional markets like Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It now targets Indonesia and India as pivotal new markets for growth.
Since the establishment of the “Taiwan Tourism Information Center in Mumbai” on February 7, 2024, the Administration has invited ten incentive travel-specialized travel agencies from India to visit Taiwan from June 20 to 25. This marked the first group post-pandemic, emphasizing immediate MICE market development and long-term mass market targeting through phased marketing strategies. The itinerary for this inaugural group centered on Yilan, showcasing Taiwan’s diverse tourism resources and high-quality hospitality. Highlights included visits to Toucheng Farm for rural and eco-tourism experiences, the National Center for Traditional Arts to appreciate Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage, historical sites, traditional architecture, and the scenic beauty of the Northeast Coast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area. In Taipei, the group explored the Grand Hotel’s secret passages and enjoyed retro costume changes in Dadaocheng. This exchange enabled Indian businesses to gain a deeper appreciation of Taiwan, laying the groundwork for enhanced cooperation between Taiwanese and Indian tourism industries.
The Administration also aims to reinstate direct flights between Taiwan and India to enhance travel convenience, comfort, and affordability. In the second half of the year, more invitations will be extended to Indian businesses to explore central and southern Taiwan, including the scenic landscapes of Taichung, the cultural allure of Kaohsiung, and the natural and cultural treasures of Hualien and Taitung. The Administration welcomes more enthusiastic Indian visitors to discover Taiwan’s unique charm and endless delights.
To facilitate these opportunities, the Administration hosted a “Taiwan-India Tourism B2B Networking Session” on the 24th, drawing around 15 businesses from travel agencies, hotels, and the tourism and leisure sectors. The event fostered lively face-to-face interactions and forged valuable business connections between Taiwanese and Indian tourism professionals. Highlighting India’s status as the world’s most populous country, with around 40,000 Indian tourists annually visiting Taiwan pre-pandemic, the Administration sees significant potential in India’s burgeoning “new wealthy” and “business traveler” segments. With India’s robust economic growth and diverse cultural appeal, visitor numbers are expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels this year.
Impressed by their experiences, Indian businesses provided positive feedback and expressed intentions to develop new travel products, bolster promotions, and increase tourist flows from India. The Administration plans to maintain ongoing communication and explore further collaboration opportunities.
