Visa-free policy boosts demand; U.S. tour prices surge by NT$8,000 to NT$15,000 for summer vacation

▲ Washington Metro Station in the U.S. (Photo / Provided by netizen)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

With the peak summer travel season approaching, overseas tour prices are rising, especially for U.S. routes, which have seen the most dramatic increases. Due to the expanding visa-free effect, more people are interested in traveling to the U.S., causing market tour prices to rise by NT$8,000 to NT$15,000.

The Travel Quality Assurance Association of the Republic of China recently announced the reference selling prices for summer travel from July to August this year, with prices significantly higher than the previous quarter. Among them, markets suitable for family travel during the summer vacation, such as the U.S., Australia, and Japan, saw the largest increases, ranging from a minimum of NT$3,000 to a maximum increase of NT$10,000.

Although the Japanese yen exchange rate has recently plummeted, group tour prices have not decreased. Instead, due to the approaching summer vacation and a surge in traveler demand, prices for Japan tours have risen by NT$3,000 to NT$5,000 compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, trips to Korea have seen less change in prices for the summer vacation compared to the previous quarter, or even a decrease of NT$1,000 to NT$2,000, due to the impact of recent tensions between North and South Korea, which have reduced travelers' willingness to visit.

This year marks the first summer vacation since the U.S. implemented its visa-free policy. Airlines report that sales in May have already reached 70–80%, with the visa-free effect gradually becoming evident. Airfare has increased by NT$6,000 to NT$12,000, and local costs in the U.S., including hotel stays, meals, and transportation, have also risen. Overall, U.S. routes are NT$8,000 to NT$15,000 more expensive than the previous quarter. Travel agencies have also launched new products such as a 15-day Grand Eastern U.S. tour and an 8-day double-city tour of Chicago and New York. Additionally, direct flights to Hawaii have been added for this summer vacation.

In terms of European travel, prices have also risen due to greater demand than supply, with airfares increasing by approximately NT$3,000 to NT$6,000 for the summer. This year, the cost of receiving tourists in Europe has increased, with Italy and Spain seeing relatively larger hikes. As a result, European summer tour prices are about NT$3,000 to NT$8,000 higher than the previous quarter.