Taiwan Tourism Sees Growth in Foreign Arrivals But Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
As of December 3, 2024, Taiwan reached a significant milestone of 7 million foreign visitors, marking a notable recovery in international tourism after the pandemic. However, this figure still lags behind pre-COVID numbers and the government’s original target for the year.
According to the Tourism Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), while the 7 million foreign arrivals represent a marked improvement over last year, they are still far from the 10.72 million visitors recorded during the same period in 2019. Taiwan’s tourism sector had set a target of 12 million international arrivals for 2024, but due to several external factors—including restrictions from China—the goal was lowered mid-year.
Tourism Growth Despite Challenges
Despite not meeting initial targets, the growth in visitor numbers is a positive sign for Taiwan’s tourism industry, especially considering the challenges posed by global travel disruptions over the past few years. In comparison to 2023, which saw just 5.7 million foreign visitors, the 7 million milestone as of December 3 signifies a recovery. However, it still falls short of the 10.72 million visitors Taiwan welcomed in 2019 before the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Tourism Administration indicated that the country is on track to surpass 7.5 million visitors by the end of 2024, which would be a strong performance given the circumstances. The MOTC remains hopeful for future growth, targeting 10 million international arrivals in 2025.
Regional Visitor Trends: Japan Leads, U.S. Sees Growth
Among the foreign visitors, Japanese nationals have led the charge, with 1.18 million arrivals recorded as of December 3. However, this is still only 60% of the 1.94 million Japanese tourists who visited Taiwan in the same period in 2019.
Hong Kong ranked second with 1.16 million visitors, recovering to about 75% of pre-pandemic levels. South Korea was third with nearly 900,000 visitors, which represents about 83% of the numbers seen in 2019.
One notable success story, however, has been U.S. arrivals, which have exceeded expectations. Nearly 600,000 U.S. visitors came to Taiwan in 2024, a 10% increase over pre-COVID levels in 2019. The boost in U.S. visitors is attributed to a rise in flights between Taiwan and U.S. destinations, with Taiwanese airlines launching new routes to American cities.
Government Efforts to Boost Taiwan’s Tourism
To further stimulate tourism, the Tourism Administration has been strengthening its global outreach. This includes opening new tourism promotion offices in key cities such as Jakarta, Mumbai, Paris, and Vancouver in 2024. Additionally, plans are in place for the launch of the Taiwan Tourism Information Center (TTIC) in Manila, and two more TTICs will open next year in Seattle and Sydney.
The Taiwan government has been actively working on promoting Taiwan as a top travel destination through various international marketing efforts and infrastructure improvements, including increased flight connections to key markets like the U.S. and Japan.
Table: Key Visitor Statistics in 2024
| Country | 2024 Foreign Visitors (as of Dec. 3) | Percentage of Pre-COVID (2019) Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 1.18 million | 60% |
| Hong Kong | 1.16 million | 75% |
| South Korea | 900,000 | 83% |
| United States | 600,000 | 110% (10% increase) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How many foreign visitors did Taiwan receive in 2024?
A: Taiwan received 7 million foreign visitors as of December 3, 2024, a notable recovery from the 5.7 million arrivals in the same period in 2023.
Q2: What was Taiwan’s original tourism target for 2024?
A: The original target for 2024 was 12 million foreign visitors. However, this was revised to 10 million after restrictions from China impacted tourism flows.
Q3: Which country contributed the most visitors to Taiwan in 2024?
A: Japan has been the largest source of foreign visitors to Taiwan, with 1.18 million arrivals as of December 3.
Q4: Has tourism from the U.S. grown in 2024?
A: Yes, the number of U.S. visitors to Taiwan increased by 10% compared to 2019, with nearly 600,000 arrivals recorded in 2024.
Q5: What is Taiwan doing to encourage more international visitors?
A: Taiwan’s Tourism Administration has been opening new tourism promotion offices in cities like Jakarta, Mumbai, Paris, and Vancouver, and has also expanded flight connections to major international destinations.
