TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is poised to encounter a record-breaking tourism deficit in 2024, projected to reach NT$738 billion, marking a NT$294.4 billion increase from the previous year.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) disclosed that outbound travel spending soared to NT$713.4 billion in 2023, while foreign visitor contributions lagged at NT$269.8 billion, culminating in a staggering NT$443.6 billion shortfall.
Lee Chi-yuen (李奇嶽), an assistant professor at Taipei City University of Science and Technology (TPCU, 台北城市科技大學), attributed the downturn in foreign tourism to instability in the Taiwan Strait. He highlighted that global media's focus on these tensions has undermined international confidence in traveling to Taiwan.
Lee further noted that Taiwan has yet to permit visits from Chinese tourists or resume travel groups to China, impacting cross-strait relations.
Additionally, MOTC statistics revealed that 11.38 million Taiwanese ventured abroad in the first eight months of 2024, with forecasts predicting 17.5 million for the year. In contrast, only 4.96 million international tourists visited Taiwan, a 30% rise from 2023, yet still resulting in a 6.41 million visitor deficit.
Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) acknowledged the difficulties in reaching the 10 million visitor target, citing natural disasters, politics, and currency fluctuations. However, he remains optimistic about achieving 8 million visitors by the year's end.
Chen Jiayu (陳家瑜), a professor from Shih Hsin University (世新大學), proposed that Taiwan could replicate Singapore's success with large-scale events, such as Taylor Swift's concert. He emphasized the necessity for Taiwan to boost its allure, particularly towards the Chinese market, through an open-minded governmental approach.