Visitor Statistics for Taiwan from January to March
As endemic conditions lead to an increase in overseas travelers, Koreans were the largest group among foreigners visiting Taiwan in the first quarter of this year.
On the 19th (local time), according to Taiwanese media such as China Times and Commercial Times, Lin Xinren, Deputy Director of the Taiwan Ministry of Transportation and Communications Tourism Bureau, stated at the '2023 Tourism Travel Safety Guidance Week' event on the 17th that the cumulative number of tourists visiting Taiwan in the first quarter of this year is estimated to exceed 1 million.
Deputy Director Lin cited Tourism Bureau statistics, explaining that in January, 254,359 foreigners visited Taiwan, with Koreans numbering 36,536, Japanese 27,606, and Americans 26,720, forming the top groups.
He added that the numbers for Malaysia (20,172), Vietnam (19,026), the Philippines (18,069), and Singapore (17,270) followed in order.
He further noted that visitors in February and March were estimated at 350,000 and over 400,000 respectively, and by late March, the number of visitors is expected to surpass the initial target of 820,000, reaching 1 million.
Deputy Director Lin attributed this exceeding of the target to the border reopening on October 13 last year, the Lantern Festival held from February 5 to 19, and continuous Taiwan-related marketing over the past three years.
He also revealed that preferential events for foreign travelers visiting Taiwan are being planned with a target implementation date of April 15.
Taiwanese media reported that the Taiwan Ministry of Transportation plans to attract 6 million tourists this year by distributing 500,000 consumption coupons worth 5,000 Taiwan dollars (approximately 210,000 KRW) to individual travelers, and providing subsidies of 10,000 Taiwan dollars and 20,000 Taiwan dollars (approximately 850,000 KRW) to group travelers of 8 or more and 15 or more people, respectively.
Meanwhile, as overseas travel increases, consumer consultations related to overseas travel and airline services surged last month.
The Korea Consumer Agency and the Korea Consumer Organization Council analyzed 41,722 consultations received by the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center last month and reported a significant increase in complaints related to overseas travel and air passenger transport services.
Consultations related to overseas travel increased by 87.5% compared to the previous month.
Many cases involved companies not refunding on time or demanding excessive cancellation fees.
Compared to February last year, complaints related to overseas travel (931.4%) and air passenger transport services (321.7%), such as excessive cancellation fees demanded by airlines, were notably high.
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