Seizing New Transformational Opportunities, Creating a New Era of Post-Pandemic Travel
As widespread vaccination use brings the COVID-19 pandemic under control, a growing number of countries and areas are relaxing or lifting travel restrictions, setting the stage for the recovery of the global tourism industry. On October 13, 2022, Taiwan eased border restrictions, ending a thousand days of COVID-19 prevention measures, and embraced a new dawn in the international tourism market. This annual report highlights the efforts taken by Taiwan in partnership with the tourism industry in 2022, amid COVID-19, to lay the groundwork for a post-pandemic tourism resurgence.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, the Tourism Administration has stood firmly with and provided unwavering support to the tourism industry through the proactive deployment and safe and orderly promotion of various COVID-19 prevention, relief, and revitalization measures. In 2022, we promoted the concept of "a new normal in post-pandemic tourism" based on a three-pronged strategy of "product optimization," "service enhancement," and "strategic planning." We continued to guide the tourism industry in developing thematic tourism products and e-tourism, upgrading operating capacity and professional expertise, and introducing digital and smart travel services at scenic areas in line with policy directives. We also promoted digital governance and expanded big data platforms for tourism, making this data publicly accessible for value-added applications. In addition, we continued to promote a forward-looking tourism development plan encompassing the enhancement of 16 diverse bicycle routes, promotion of six major scenic areas with international appeal, infrastructure development at 13 national scenic areas, as well as the development of selected scenic area recreation corridors to help local governments improve the quality of their travel environments and achieve balanced local development.
In addition, the Tourism Administration leveraged tourism circles to highlight Taiwan's diverse and unique local natural landscapes, significant cultural features, key industries, and other "resilient tourism" strengths. These unique special attractions and key industries were integrated into a variety of high-quality thematic tours recounting the story of Taiwan's distinctive local culture. Furthermore, we partnered with local governments to jointly strengthen local infrastructure and support local tourism development. We also continued to deepen and stabilize domestic tourism development, as well as tap international markets through diverse marketing campaigns to seize new tourism opportunities in the post-pandemic era.
Tourism power is a national strength. To help achieve the vision of a tourism-based country, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications was reorganized as the Tourism Administration on September 15th of this year (2023). This highly anticipated development marks another important milestone for Taiwan's tourism industry. Future policy actions by the Tourism Administration will focus on industry needs. First, the administration will establish the Executive Yuan Consultative Council for Tourism Industry Revitalization to seek input from various sectors on promoting industry momentum. We will also strengthen cooperation among the "three ministries and two councils"–the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Council for Hakka Affairs, and Council of Indigenous Peoples–to create enriched tourism experiences aligned with the trends of the times. Next, we will embrace new models for "evolving and expanding industrial-academic cooperation," address human resource needs, and respond to an aging society. The administration will develop a deeper understanding of the travel needs of various age groups and enhance the "quality and quantity" of services for these groups through transnational cooperation. Lastly, we will continue to cultivate the international visitor market and assist the hotel industry in providing branded, "upgraded" international-class service quality to tap global markets. Under the three themes of mountain, sea, and island-round travel, we aim to present Taiwan to the world in all its unrivaled charms.
The establishment of the Tourism Administration marks an important milestone in the progress of tourism development in Taiwan. I urge each of my colleagues to carry on the mission of developing tourism, and to work together across sectors to usher Taiwan into a new era of sustainable and resilient tourism.
