TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Tourism Administration is expanding its talent development efforts with a new overseas training program, according to CNA.
The administration said Tuesday it will select 60 participants for study visits in Japan and Thailand. The initiative is designed to build a more integrated and innovative tourism ecosystem capable of adapting to changing traveler expectations.
Under the theme of sustainability, resilience, and digital innovation, the program offers structured training for senior and mid-level managers. Officials said the goal is not only to enhance individual expertise, but also to help tourism businesses adopt new service models and digital tools.
Recent statistics show Taiwan’s tourism recovery is accompanied by a widening deficit, which reached NT$808.8 billion (US$25.5 billion) last year, up NT$111 billion from 2024. The trend suggests significant outbound spending by Taiwanese travelers, according to CTEE.
Lai Cheng-i (賴正鎰), honorary chair of the General Chamber of Commerce of Taiwan, said the country's tourism performance should not be measured solely by inbound arrivals. He urged the industry to focus on total value creation and international competitiveness, noting that even if inbound numbers increase, the broader tourism economy could remain under pressure without a shift toward higher-value development.
In line with this push for upgrading industry capabilities, the senior management track will feature instructors from leading domestic and international universities. Courses will cover emerging trends in tourism management, sustainability, and technology.
After completing local coursework, participants will travel abroad in groups. The travel agency sector will visit the Tohoku Region, hospitality operators will travel to Bangkok and Chiang Mai, while tourism amusement operators will study best practices in Japan’s Kanto Region.
The mid-level training program emphasizes cross-sector collaboration across the tourism supply chain. Participants will include operators from tourism zones and tourism factories, with training focused on storytelling-based marketing, experience design, and AI application.
