News Flash / Taiwan Tourism Sets New Record, Welcomes 8 Millionth Visitor at Year-End

▲ Ms. OMOTE AYA (center), the Japanese traveler, became the 8 millionth visitor to Taiwan in 2013. (Photo / Provided by the Tourism Bureau)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

At around 1 p.m. on December 31, Japanese traveler Ms. OMOTE AYA arrived at Taoyuan Airport on flight BR195, becoming the 8 millionth international visitor to Taiwan in 2013 and marking a new milestone in Taiwan’s tourism history. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau also held a grand welcoming ceremony.

In addition to receiving two round-trip business class tickets from China Airlines and EVA Air for travel between Asia and Taiwan, the 8 millionth lucky visitor was also gifted accommodation vouchers from various hotels, a wedding photography service, as well as 80 specialty gifts including Taiwan Rail Pass 3-day tickets, bicycles, premium Taiwanese 3C electronics, and locally themed souvenirs from international cultural highlights, with a total value of approximately NT$500,000.

The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications adopted a strategy of “Looking to the World and Global Expansion,” launching targeted theme travel packages for different tourism markets. In 2013, visitor numbers from Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea grew by nearly 15%, 15%, and 30% respectively, pushing the overall annual growth rate of visitors to Taiwan to 9%.

Following the breakthrough of 6 million and 7 million visitors in 2011 and 2012 respectively, 2013 also exceeded the 8 million mark. Taiwan’s tourism foreign exchange earnings in 2012 were approximately NT$348.4 billion, and in 2013 they are expected to reach NT$374.2 billion, which is of great significance for boosting Taiwan’s economy and the development of related industries.