TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is set to welcome a record number of cruise ship visits in 2024, with the Taiwan International Ports Corporation estimating at least 399 port calls, bringing in approximately 773,000 passengers.
This forecast marks a significant increase from 2023, which saw 327 cruise ship visits and 547,000 passengers, reaching half the pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
Cruise Tourism on the Rise
The surge in cruise tourism is attributed to a growing interest among families, couples, and retirees, according to Lion Travel.
In 2024, over 60% of cruise passengers are expected to be families, followed by couples and the retired demographic. A notable trend is the increase in passengers traveling with children under 12, which has grown by approximately 20%.
Additionally, the proportion of teenage passengers has risen, leading to a decrease in the average age of cruise travelers from 44.23 years to 42.35 years.