Plasticizers unexpectedly found in train food severely dent travelers' willingness to visit Taiwan

In May this year, the number of visitors to Taiwan was 470,047, a 7% year-on-year decline, primarily due to fewer arrivals from Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, which dropped by 18.95% and 16.12% respectively. The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stated that the derailment accident of the Alishan Forest Railway at the end of April, coupled with the subsequent plasticizer incident in late May, affected media coverage and dampened the travel intentions of mainland Chinese and Hong Kong-Macau tourists. Many travelers postponed or canceled their trips to Taiwan.

Despite this, markets such as Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Europe continued to see growth in visitor numbers in May, with Europe showing the highest increase at 17,693 visitors (9.30%). Countries that experienced declines included Singapore (22,275 visitors, -2.28%), Hong Kong and Macau (55,065 visitors, -18.95%), and mainland China (150,049 visitors, -16.12%). However, cumulative visitor numbers from January to May this year still reached 2.39 million, reflecting a 5.79% increase.

The Tourism Bureau stated that although Taiwan is well known for its food, the plasticizer incident has indeed affected the inbound tourism market, especially in key export markets such as Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. However, the Department of Health has now strengthened food safety controls, and the Tourism Bureau’s overseas offices have also been proactively communicating with local travel agencies to explain the government's emphasis on food safety measures.