Taiwan is on a mission to become a top global tourist destination, and it’s going all out to make it happen. The country is expanding its global tourism reach by establishing 18 representative offices and 7 Taiwan Tourism Information Centers around the world. This ambitious initiative, announced by the Taiwan Tourism Administration on Saturday, aims to attract more international visitors and solidify Taiwan’s place on the world travel map.
These offices and centers will be fully operational by next year, enhancing Taiwan’s ability to reach tourists from all corners of the globe. Three representative offices are already up and running, with two more scheduled to open before the end of the year. Meanwhile, Taiwan Tourism Information Centers have been set up in key locations like Jakarta, Mumbai, and Paris. The expansion continues with a center opening in Vancouver next month, followed by another in Manila in December.
The strategy for next year includes even more aggressive expansion, with new offices planned in cities like Amsterdam, Dubai, and Sydney. These strategic locations will further enhance Taiwan’s visibility and appeal to tourists from diverse regions, reinforcing its reputation as a leading travel destination.
While the latest Cabinet policy report to the Legislative Yuan didn’t specifically mention international tourists, a report submitted on May 31 outlined a bold target: to attract over 10 million international travelers to Taiwan through enhanced branding efforts. This ambitious goal forms the heart of Taiwan’s long-term tourism strategy, aiming to solidify its position as a top global travel destination.
As of last month, Taiwan had welcomed only 5 million international visitors this year, falling short of the 10 million mark. This gap highlights the challenges faced by the tourism sector in achieving its goal. Despite these setbacks, the Taiwan Tourism Administration remains steadfast in its commitment, emphasizing that reaching the 10 million tourist target annually remains a top priority.
Several significant events have hampered tourism growth this year. The devastating earthquake that struck Hualien in April, followed by numerous aftershocks, played a major role in deterring potential visitors. China’s military exercises in the Taiwan Strait in May, the depreciation of the yen, and the impact of a recent typhoon further contributed to the decline in tourist numbers.
In response to these challenges, the Tourism Administration is actively revitalizing the industry. They are expanding their overseas offices, recruiting marketing experts to lead new initiatives, and implementing tailored promotional campaigns for different markets. The agency has also identified tourism ambassadors in Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia to advocate for travel to Taiwan, leveraging local influencers and spokespersons to create stronger connections with potential travelers.
Beijing’s increasingly aggressive stance toward Taiwan has negatively impacted tourism between the two countries, according to the Tourism Administration. Officials are closely monitoring the situation and expressing hope that China will engage in more cooperative efforts to address the decline. This political tension has significantly reduced the flow of travelers between the regions, affecting Taiwan’s tourism sector.
Data from the Tourism Administration reveals a stark contrast in travel patterns. Last year, Taiwanese visitors made 1.76 million trips to China, with a slight decrease to 1.59 million trips between January and July of this year. In comparison, Chinese visitors made 226,000 trips to Taiwan last year, dropping to just 150,000 in the first seven months of this year. This imbalance underscores the challenges Taiwan faces in attracting more Chinese tourists amidst ongoing political strain.
