Taiwan recently announced a one-year extension of the
visa-free entry policy for Filipino travelers to Taiwan (until July 31, 2026).
In response, the Taiwan Tourism Administration, swiftly organized a Taiwan
tourism delegation comprising 50 representatives from 25 organizations,
including the Taichung City Government, travel agencies, hotels, and airlines.
The delegation will travel to the Philippines from July 11 to 13 to participate
in the Travel Madness Expo (TME) 2025.
According to the latest data from the Taiwan Tourism Administration, the
visa-free policy has significantly boosted travel from the Philippines. In Q1
of 2025, arrivals from the Philippines reached 146,581—an impressive 29%
increase compared to pre-pandemic levels, making the Philippines the fastest-growing
source market globally and the largest source market in Southeast Asia.
At TME, the Taiwan Tourism Administration will set up a
"Taiwan Pavilion" themed around its Tourism Brand 3.0 campaign,
“Taiwan – Waves of Wonder.” The pavilion will use vivid colors and playful
elements to showcase the charm of Taiwan across all four seasons. Highlighted
within the pavilion are popular Instagram-worthy landmarks such as Taipei 101,
Taichung’s Rainbow Village, the Taiwan International Balloon Festival in
Taitung, and the Morning Hot Springs of Green Island—inviting Filipino visitors
to take memorable photos while experiencing Taiwan's rich and diverse travel
appeal.
To amplify the impact of this year’s promotion, the
Taiwan Pavilion has invited top Filipino influencers, including Carl Chuidian
(The Chui Show) and well-known travel vlogger Mommy Haidee. Both will share
their firsthand travel experiences in Taiwan, along with must-try cuisine and
attractions. Their appearances are expected to generate significant buzz and
draw more Filipino travelers to choose Taiwan as their top travel destination.
In recent years, travel from the Philippines to Taiwan
has continued to surge. Taiwan’s close proximity, short flight time, diverse
cuisine, and distinctive attractions—especially the high-speed rail system,
which the Philippines lacks—are all key factors in attracting Filipino
tourists. In 2024, Taiwan welcomed 467,000 Filipino visitors, the highest among
all Southeast Asian countries. The growth momentum continues in 2025, with a
25.38% increase in arrivals during January to March compared to the same period
in 2024. The Philippines now ranks as Taiwan’s top Southeast Asian source
market and sixth globally, demonstrating remarkable performance.
To further strengthen Taiwan–Philippines tourism industry
cooperation and attract more Filipino travelers, in addition to participating
in the TME, the Taiwan tourism delegation will also host promotional events in
Iloilo (the Philippines’ 4th largest city) and Cebu (the 2nd largest city) on
July 15 and 16. These events will bring together over 100 key travel
professionals, airline representatives, and mainstream media. They will
showcase Taiwan’s newest attractions and tourism incentives, aiming to sustain
and expand the strong growth in Filipino visitor arrivals and open up new
opportunities for Taiwan’s tourism in the Southbound market.
