Filipino Visitors in Taiwan Increase at a Double Rate in 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Taiwan is looking to boost its economy through tourism sales and the last year has seen the nation attract a good number of them – with Filipino visitors making the largest chunk of it.

Taiwan is located near China and is known for its beautiful modern cities as well as great night markets, hot springs and Chinese temples. It often features on a traveler’s itinerary when they visit China, but the small nation, with a population of less than 24 million didn’t fare as great to its Chinese counterparts when it came to tourist inflow. Now, Taiwan aims to change just that with more partnerships with other nations.

Now, there might be a good many reasons for you to visit Taiwan. While you may not be able to try out low stakes gambling, you would love the Taiwanese culture, as many tourists would testify.

A Look at Taiwan Tourism

All that might change soon though as Taiwan aims to divert more tourists to this part of Mainland China. Taiwan is expected to have an immense increase in the Filipino tourists in the year 2018 which might go up to 300,000. The reason behind this huge increment of tourism in Taiwan is due the free visa policy which was introduced last year between Taiwan and Philippines. This policy was introduced in order to cover up the loss to the Taiwan tourism industry because of the decline in Chinese tourists.

This decline in Chinese visitors is a result of unstable political relationship between the two countries. After the Presidential election in May 2016, the newly elected President Tsai Ing-wen had refused to accept Taiwan as a part of ‘One China’. Other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand have also got the benefits of ease in visa restrictions.

What’s Happening since 2017?

The policy in question was introduced in November 2017. The tourists in the last quarter of 2017 almost doubled as compared to the last quarter of 2016, it went up from 52,000 to 90,000 According to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) it has went up from 172,475 in 2016 to 290,784 in 2017 which is an increase of 68.59%. The average quarterly tourism is expected to be 90,000.

A Look at How Philippines is Driving the Tourism Growth

In 2018, the expected tourists from Philippines is expected to be around 300,000. The free visa policy is about to end on July 31, as it was introduced in a trial period for nine-months. Filipino tourists can visit Taiwan and stay there for 14 days as a result of this policy. Apart from free visa policy, new air routes have also been introduced between the two countries.

Talks are being held between TECO and Manila Economic and Cultural Office regarding the extension of this policy as this a great opportunity for both countries to know each other well. Have you visited China or Taiwan yet? Do you think your China trip will also include a visit to Taiwan? Let us know in the comments below!