Where have all the people gone? A collapse in Taiwan’s tourist attractions—where are the “10 million tourists”?

Tourist spots across Taiwan are experiencing a “collapse-like” decline in visitor numbers, yet according to figures published by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau, the number of international visitors to Taiwan has exceeded 10 million for three consecutive years. This stark contrast has led many to wonder: where exactly have these “10 million tourists” gone?

With the sharp drop in mainland Chinese tourists, visitor numbers to major must-visit sites in Taiwan have plummeted. Statistics show that the National Palace Museum’s Taipei branch saw 230,000 fewer visitors last year compared to the previous year; its southern branch attracted less than one million visitors annually, with days when fewer than 300 people came. Kenting National Park saw nearly half as many visitors last year, while Alishan in Chiayi also experienced a sudden drop of 500,000 visitors compared to the previous year.

According to a report by the United Daily News, many in the tourism industry believe the actual number of tourists visiting Taiwan is not as high as government-reported figures, which may include business travelers, migrant workers, and transit passengers. The real number of tourists might be even lower than the statistics suggest.

While domestic tourism operators lament that tourist spots are not as crowded as before, official statistics from the Tourism Bureau show that as of November last year, visitor numbers at major tourist and recreational sites across Taiwan still grew by 2.45%. Among them, Taroko saw an annual increase of 1.55%, with officials emphasizing that numbers have not declined. Furthermore, nearly 80% of the “10 million tourists” last year visited Taiwan for tourism purposes.

Additionally, tourism industry players often complain that Southeast Asian tourists spend less than mainland Chinese visitors. However, Minister of Transportation and Communications Hochen Tan believes that aside from visitor numbers being just a reference, the value of their spending should be compared. He also pointed out that the rapid growth of mainland Chinese tourists was not normal, emphasizing the importance of tourist diversity, as well as visitor satisfaction and quality. His vision includes expanding domestic tourism and attracting more international tourists.