Tourist sites across the country see a landslide drop in visitors — so where are those promised “10 million tourists”?

Scenic spots across Taiwan are experiencing a landslide decline in visitor numbers. Yet according to figures published by the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, international visitor arrivals to Taiwan have surpassed the 10

The sharp decline in mainland Chinese tourists has led to a significant drop in visitor numbers at major Taiwanese attractions. According to statistics, the National Palace Museum in Taipei saw 230,000 fewer visitors last year compared to the previous year; the Southern Branch attracted fewer than one million visitors annually, with as few as 300 people visiting on some days. Kenting National Park experienced nearly a 50% drop in visitor numbers last year, while Alishan in Chiayi also saw a plunge of 500,000 visitors compared to the previous year.

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

While domestic tourism operators lament the reduced crowds at attractions, official statistics from the Tourism Bureau show that as of November last year, visitor numbers at major tourist sites across Taiwan still increased by 2.45%. Among them, Taroko National Park saw a 1.55% annual rise in visitors, which officials emphasized was not a decline. Moreover, among last year’s “10 million tourists,” nearly 80% visited Taiwan for leisure purposes.

In addition, tourism industry stakeholders frequently complain that Southeast Asian tourists spend less than mainland Chinese visitors. Minister of Transportation and Communications Hochen Tan, however, believes that aside from visitor numbers being only a reference, it is better to compare economic value. He added that the rapid growth in mainland Chinese tourists was not normal, emphasizing the importance of visitor diversity, satisfaction, and quality. His vision includes expanding domestic tourism and attracting more international tourists.