Taiwan’s tourist spots see dramatic drop in visitors — so where have the “10 million tourists” gone?

Scenic spots across Taiwan are experiencing a “plummeting” decline in visitor numbers, yet according to statistics released by the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the number of international tourists visiting Taiwan has consistently surpassed the 10 million mark for the past three years. This stark contrast has left many wondering: where exactly have these “10 million tourists” gone?

With a sharp decrease in mainland Chinese tourists, visitor numbers at once-popular Taiwanese attractions have plummeted. Statistics show that the Taipei branch of the National Palace Museum saw 230,000 fewer visitors last year compared to the previous year; the Southern Branch attracted less than one million visitors annually, with days when fewer than 300 people visited. Kenting National Park saw nearly half as many visitors last year, while Alishan in Chiayi also experienced a sharp drop of 500,000 visitors compared to the previous year.

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

While domestic tourism operators lament that tourist spots are no longer as crowded as before, official statistics from the Tourism Bureau show that as of November last year, visitor numbers at major tourist attractions across Taiwan still grew by 2.45%. Among them, Taroko National Park saw a 1.55% annual increase in visitors, which officials emphasized was not a decline. Moreover, nearly 80% of the “10 million tourists” last year visited Taiwan for tourism purposes.

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