TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) said on Tuesday the number of visitors to Taiwan last year exceeded 7.85 million.
Chou aims to create tourism markets within a four- to eight-hour flight to Taiwan this year, focusing on India, New Zealand, and Australia. Tourism information centers for foreign visitors are expected to open this year in Sydney and Mumbai, per CNA.
Chou also highlighted North America and Europe as key markets for Taiwan's tourism expansion. He said centers would also be established in Seattle and Amsterdam.
Chou said the number of visitors from South Korea to Taiwan exceeded 1 million last year. From January to October last year, the number of Japanese visitors to Taiwan surpassed 1 million, marking a nearly 50% increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to the administration.
Chou said the focus for first-time foreign visitors is on promoting tourism in the north. Aligning with Thailand's ecotourism initiative, the administration will promote destinations, including Keelung's Heping Island and Yilan's Zhuangwei to Thai tourists.
Chou said Thai luxury travelers enjoy shopping in Taiwan, and the administration will discuss with the economic ministry to offer more convenient shopping options for them. The administration will continue promoting discounts on Taiwan High Speed Rail tickets to encourage tourists to explore regions outside Taipei.
The administration will intensify efforts to promote Taiwan's tourism through key events this year, including the Taiwan Lantern Festival, Taiwan Cycling Festival, and L'Etape Sun Moon Lake.
Chou added Taiwan's tourism industry has rebounded after the pandemic. However, the Hualien earthquake in April last year resulted in a loss of 520,000 group tourists to the region.