TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Klook Japan's General Manager Wataru Masuda (増田航) reported a 32% increase in Japanese tourists visiting Taiwan as of Monday, Dec. 23. Despite this growth, Masuda noted that the number of travelers has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, primarily due to low passport ownership among Japanese citizens.
Masuda attributed the low outbound travel percentage post-COVID-19 to several factors, including the weak yen, passport ownership below 20%, and the societal view of international travel as a luxury. In response, Taiwan's Tourism Administration has implemented initiatives such as a lucky draw and high-speed rail discounts, resulting in a 220% increase in Taiwanese product traffic and a 300% sales growth.
Masuda emphasized the potential of AI technology to alleviate travel inconveniences. Klook's massage booking system, for instance, enables tourists to make reservations directly via their phones, thus minimizing communication issues. Additionally, Klook's collaboration with Google provides travelers with day tour comparisons and automatic translation features, addressing language barriers and staffing shortages.
These efforts aim to revitalize Japanese travel to Taiwan. As technology and strategic partnerships continue to enhance the travel experience, further growth in tourist numbers seems promising.
