TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's government launched an ambitious tourism transformation plan Thursday (Aug. 28) targeting NT$1 trillion (around US$32.8 billion) in tourism revenue by 2030. The National Development Council, Taiwan's key economic planning agency (國發會), approved the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' comprehensive "Tourism 2030 ─ Taiwan Tourism Towards 2030" initiative. The strategy envisions sustained annual spending growth of 2 to 4 percent as Taiwan positions itself as a premier destination in the competitive Asia-Pacific tourism market.
The comprehensive strategy emphasizes environmental sustainability and cutting-edge digital technology as cornerstones for revolutionizing Taiwan's tourism sector. Officials designed this dual approach to modernize the industry's infrastructure while ensuring tourism growth benefits reach all regions across the island. The initiative represents Taiwan's commitment to balancing economic expansion with environmental responsibility and equitable development across urban and rural areas.
Government officials will establish the Taiwan Tourism Institute Foundation (財團法人台灣觀光研訓院) as a specialized research and training center to spearhead the Taiwan Tourism Brand 3.0 campaign. The foundation will strategically enhance signature cultural events including the internationally renowned Taiwan Lantern Festival and the popular Midsummer Festival. These optimized celebrations aim to extend visitor stays and encourage repeat tourism, transforming Taiwan's cultural calendar into a powerful economic engine.
The strategy showcases Taiwan's diverse heritage through six specialized tourism categories: environmental, cultural, Hakka, indigenous, agricultural, and historical gold mining experiences, while pursuing international green tourism certification. Transportation officials will deploy an advanced "Smart Management System with Location-Based Service for Scenic Areas" (智慧景區綜合管理平台) to enhance visitor safety and operational effectiveness. The National Development Council emphasized the initiative's alignment with President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) broader vision of transforming Taiwan into a globally recognized tourism-driven economy. ◼