TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Lion Travel (雄獅旅遊) anticipates robust growth in the global travel market in 2025, spurred by increased flight availability and rising demand, according to a media report on Friday (Feb. 21). Spokesperson Lai I-ching (賴一青) stressed that the company remains optimistic about the market's recovery. She noted a revenue increase of over 20% in January and February and expects an average 10% hike in tour prices.
Lai highlighted the post-pandemic recovery from 2023 to 2024, bolstering the industry. The Osaka Expo 2025 (大阪萬國博覽會) exemplifies this trend, with an additional 20 flights weekly, offering over 10,000 seats monthly and a cumulative 100,000 seats over six months. United Airlines resumed its Guam route in April 2024, offering two weekly flights and boosting island tourism demand. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways launched daily flights from Taipei to Abu Dhabi in Sept. 2024, providing long-haul capacity with approximately 300 seats.
Lai noted that travel to Japan in 2024 surpassed 2019 levels, predicting a 10% increase in Japan tour prices in 2025, with Southeast Asia also experiencing growth. Factors such as the depreciation of the New Taiwan dollar, high ticket prices, and strong market demand have increased travel costs. Consumers' higher price tolerance has kept overall travel product prices elevated, reflecting the industry's resilience and adaptability.
