TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Tourism Administration (觀光署) under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) announced on Tuesday (Jan. 7) that future domestic travel subsidies will activate only during natural disasters, with no further Hualien subsidies planned for this year. This decision follows last year's Hualien and Taitung travel subsidies, which drew 2.25 million visitors after the April 3 earthquake.
The Executive Yuan plans to hold a tourism advisory meeting on Jan. 21 or 22 to address labor shortages in the accommodation sector, increasing flights, and increasing visitor numbers. Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) set an ambitious target of 10 million international visitors this year, with a daily spending goal of US$185 to US$195.
To boost the tourism industry, Chou announced the expansion of the tourism industry expo with a new event in Kaohsiung this year. Also, the Tourism Administration will establish service offices in Amsterdam, Sydney, and Seattle to attract transit passengers from Europe and America. These initiatives reflect Taiwan's strategic efforts to revitalize its tourism sector amidst global challenges.