More flights and currency appreciation boost tourism: Taiwan and South Korea aim for 1 million mutual visits this year

▲ Cherry blossom viewing in South Korea is also a great option. (Photo provided by the Korea Tourism Organization)

Reported by Xiao Wanning / Comprehensive report

According to an earlier report by China Times today, at the Taiwan-South Korea Tourism Exchange Association yesterday (20th), the Tourism Bureau stated that with the gradual launch of new routes and increasing flight frequency, there is a chance to reach the goal set by both sides this year of achieving a combined total of 1 million mutual visits. According to China Times, Tourism Bureau Director-General Xie Weijun pointed out that in 2013, the figure reached 351,301 visitors, and to attract more Korean tourists to Taiwan,this year the “Taiwan Sightseeing Bus” and “Taiwan Good to Go” series have been launched, aiming to attract more independent Korean travelers to explore central and southern Taiwan.。

According to statistics from the Tourism Bureau, last year the mutual visits between Taiwan and South Korea reached 869,829, setting a historical high. The report noted,this was likely due to the popularity sparked by the South Korean TV show “Grandpas Over Flowers” visiting Taiwan, coupled with the recent appreciation of the South Korean won.In April alone this year, the number of Korean visitors to Taiwan increased by 70%.

However, as most visitors from both regions tend to concentrate overly on capital cities such as Taipei and Seoul, Taiwan and South Korea will actively develop routes to local cities in the future, encouraging tourists to explore deeper and experience more in-depth travel. Additionally, according to data, a higher proportion of Korean visitors to Taiwan are female, so Taiwan plans to design more travel products targeting Korean women, offering visitors a wider range of choices.