The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) recently reported that there was a 6.32 percent increase in Taiwanese arrivals in the country over the past year.
According to the DOT, 213,928 Taiwanese nationals came to the country as of 31st December 2025, proof that the country’s visa-free entry programme for Taiwan has been effective.
In a statement released on Thursday, 26th February, DOT officials said: “The growth reflects the cumulative impact of improved travel access, restored connectivity, and sustained destination visibility, reinforcing Taiwan’s position as one of the Philippines’ key source markets in Northeast Asia.”
Outbound travel up by over 12 percent
Taiwan’s outbound travel market grew by 12.43 percent overall last year, with destinations such as Japan, Greater China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand continuing to dominate outbound traffic.
At present, the Philippines ranks ninth among Taiwan’s outbound destinations.
According to Philippine tourism attaché to Taiwan Chriselle May Yambao: “The 6.32 percent growth reflects the steady return of Taiwanese travelers to the Philippines after a highly competitive year across Asia. It confirms that our market fundamentals remain strong and that demand for Philippine destinations continues to be resilient.”
The DOT attributed the increase to Manila’s efforts to improve connectivity and ease entry for Taiwanese travellers, which made the country an ideal destination for short-haul leisure, cruise, and incentive travel.
Both commercial and charter flight operations saw expanded routes and frequencies in 2025, allowing airlines to better respond to seasonal demand.
At the same time, the Philippines strengthened its presence in the regional cruise sector, with the introduction of new cruise itineraries, including Star Cruises’ Star Navigator sailing via Kaohsiung.
Yambao said: “Improved connectivity and easier travel access were the main pillars of this recovery. With more flights, more cruise options, and visa-free entry, traveling to the Philippines became more convenient and more attractive for Taiwanese visitors.”
The DOT also maintained consistent destination presence in Taiwan through a range of intensified promotional activities, trade engagements, and market-facing initiatives designed to sustain awareness and confidence.
These efforts, it said, focused on reinforcing the Philippines as a safe, accessible, and value-driven destination, rather than short-term price competition.
A diverse range of interests
In 2025, Taiwanese visitors continued to show strong interest in beach and island destinations, including Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu; diving and marine experiences; cruise; Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) and group travel; and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.
The DOT said this diversified portfolio also helped cushion fluctuations across different segments and allowed the market to recover more evenly toward year-end.
Taiwanese tourists were allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free for 14 days on 1st July 2025 following Taiwan’s earlier announcement of its one-year extension of the visa-free entry scheme for Filipino tourists.
