TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese arrivals to the Philippines rose 12% in the first five months of this year, as the country’s visa-free entry program for Taiwan approaches its one-year anniversary.
Data from the Philippine Department of Tourism showed that 93,727 Taiwanese visited the country between January and May, up from 83,685 a year earlier, per CNA. Taiwan ranked seventh among the Philippines’ largest international source markets, accounting for 3.4% of foreign arrivals.
The Philippines welcomed 2.53 million international visitors during the period, an increase of 8.3% from a year earlier. South Korea remained the largest source market despite a decline in arrivals, followed by the US and Japan.
China recorded the fastest growth among the top 10 markets, with visitor numbers surging 63.2% year-on-year to 186,860. Australia and Canada ranked fifth and sixth, ahead of Taiwan.
The tourism department did not identify the reasons behind Taiwan’s growth, but industry operators pointed to the visa-free entry program introduced in July last year. The policy allows Taiwanese travelers to stay for up to 14 days without a visa and is currently scheduled to expire at the end of June.
Philippines Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the government is working to improve transportation links and encourage private-sector investment. She added that the Philippines is also promoting higher-value sectors such as MICE tourism and wellness travel, encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend more.
