Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Taiwan's inbound tourism has struggled to recover since the pandemic, leaving the island's tourism industry in dire need of replenishment. Various sectors are urging the DPP authorities to heed public opinion and expedite the resumption of mainland Chinese tourists' visits to Taiwan.
Data released by Taiwan's transportation authorities on the 24th shows that in 2024, the number of inbound tourists to Taiwan was 7.858 million, only slightly more than 60% of pre-pandemic levels, far below the government's target of 10 million. Outbound tourists, however, reached 16.85 million, a difference of 8.992 million, resulting in a tourism revenue deficit of NT$692.2 billion.
"Last year, Taiwan's tourism industry experienced a deficit of nearly NT$700 billion, which is related to the increase in Taiwanese outbound travel, but the lack of a recovery in mainland Chinese tourists is a major reason," said Li Qiyue, Chairman of the Taiwan Association for Quality Tourism Development, in an interview. He added that before the pandemic, mainland China was Taiwan's largest source of inbound tourists, and "it is crucial to quickly recover this market."
Data shows that hotel and guesthouse occupancy rates in Taiwan had not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2024. According to an analysis by the Taiwan Foresight Tourism Policy Research Office, the revenue of Taiwan's accommodation industry last year decreased by 10.72% compared to the previous year. Industry operators stated that in addition to natural factors such as earthquakes, the lower-than-expected number of inbound tourists last year was a major reason for the poor revenue. With rising costs this year, revenue is likely to decline further.
It is worth noting that the number of applicants for tour guide and tour leader positions in Taiwan this year hit an all-time low, falling below 15,000 for the first time. Only about 3,500 people applied for Chinese-speaking tour guide and tour leader positions, also a record low.
Hsu Kuan-pin, former chairman of the Taiwan Tour Guide Association, stated that even during the pandemic, the number of applicants was lower than this year. When the incentives to enter this industry no longer exist, it is a warning sign for Taiwan's tourism development. The Taiwan Tourism Administration stated that the declining birth rate has led to fewer people entering the tourism industry, and the fact that the cross-strait tourism market has not yet recovered has also caused applicants for Chinese-speaking tour guide and tour leader positions to adopt a wait-and-see attitude.
Currently, the Taiwanese authorities maintain an "orange" alert for travel to mainland China and have not yet lifted the "ban on group tours" for Taiwanese residents. In January of this year, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the resumption of group tours to Taiwan for residents of Shanghai and Fujian, which was widely welcomed by the Taiwanese tourism industry and the public. However, the Taiwanese authorities have obstructed this, citing the need for prior communication through the "mini-cross-strait" tourism meetings.
Analysis of overseas tourist spending habits in Taiwan indicates that mainland tourists bring far greater economic benefits to Taiwan than other tourist groups. Li Qiyue stated that mainland tourists stay longer, have higher spending power than other inbound tourists, and benefit various industries, accounting for approximately 30% of the inbound tourism market value in Taiwan in 2019.
"Overseas tourists will greatly help Taiwan's tourism economy, and we certainly look forward to mainland tourists coming to Taiwan," said Wu Yingliang, Chairman of the Taiwan Travel Industry Association, in an interview. He added that mainland tourists typically stay for 6 to 12 days, greatly benefiting the entire Taiwanese tourism economy, and generally, private industries have the opportunity to benefit.
In 2024, mainland China resumed tourism to Matsu and Kinmen for residents of Fujian Province. Chen Jinfu, executive director of the Kinmen County Tourism Association, said, "Everyone was very enthusiastic, and the exchanges were very pleasant." He welcomed more mainland tourists to visit Kinmen and help boost Kinmen's economy.
A Taiwanese legislator recently pointed out that the Taiwanese authorities would rather sit idly by and watch the tourism deficit continue, causing hardship for businesses, than maintain the "ban on group tours," ultimately harming the entire island of Taiwan.
Recent interviews with tourism, transportation, and retail industry professionals revealed that while the Taiwanese authorities "talk about developing tourism," they are "obstructing" mainland tourists in every way. They hope the authorities will respond to public opinion and resume mainland tourist visits as soon as possible.
Yang Yingchao, an associate professor at Ming Chuan University in Taiwan, recently wrote that the obstruction of opening up to mainland tour groups is "another experiment by the DPP authorities to politicize partisan ideology at the expense of Taiwan's tourism and accommodation industry."
According to reports from Taiwanese media, following the announcement that group tours to Taiwan for residents of Shanghai and Fujian would resume, several counties and cities on the island responded positively, hoping that mainland tourists would boost their local economies. However, the Nantou County government criticized the Taiwanese authorities for their continued obstruction, stating that "it will be difficult for tourism operators on the island to survive."
