Japan and South Korea Lose Out! One Country's Citizens Love Visiting Taiwan, Over 720,000 Annually, Spending Nearly $8,000 Daily, with Extremely High Satisfaction

Taiwan's tourism market is rebounding rapidly, with foreign visitors demonstrating strong spending power. According to the latest 'Survey on Expenditure and Trends of Visitors to Taiwan' released by the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation, international arrivals reached 8.5745 million in 2025, driving total tourism expenditure in Taiwan (excluding airfare) to exceed $11.033 billion (approximately NT$343.857 billion), a significant year-on-year increase of 10.02%.

Notably, spending patterns reveal distinct trends. On average, international visitors spent $185.14 per day (approximately NT$5,994). Accommodation was the largest expense, averaging $77.43 per day (NT$2,507), accounting for over 40% of total spending, followed by dining and shopping.

When broken down by nationality, U.S. travelers exhibited the strongest spending power. In 2025, 729,726 Americans visited Taiwan, spending an average of $242.84 per day (NT$7,863), ranking first among all nationalities. Visitors from South Korea, Europe, and Japan followed closely.

In shopping expenditure, travelers from Hong Kong and Macau ranked first, with Chinese and South Korean tourists in second and third place, respectively. The top three souvenirs favored by foreign tourists remained local specialty products, Taiwanese tea, and handicraft souvenirs.

Foreign visitors stayed in Taiwan for an average of nearly seven nights, with an overall satisfaction rate as high as 99%. The revisit rate has consistently remained above 40% over the past three years, indicating Taiwan's strong international appeal.

The Tourism Administration further analyzed that while leisure tourists remain the foundation of the tourism industry, those attending international conferences or on business trips spend significantly more than average tourists. These business travelers often combine work with in-depth local sightseeing, generating high economic value and emerging as a new engine driving substantial growth in Taiwan's tourism revenue.

In terms of popular itineraries and attractions, night market culture remains a top choice for foreign visitors. However, travel patterns are shifting. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, the rates of visiting historical sites and participating in outdoor experiential activities have significantly increased.

Notably, in geographical distribution, the southern region's visitor rate surpassed that of the central region for the first time, rising to become the second major tourism hub for foreign visitors in Taiwan, showcasing the unique cultural and tourism appeal of southern Taiwan.