TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Lion Travel (雄獅旅遊) announced on Friday (Feb. 21) that Japan remains the top destination for Taiwanese travelers. It predicts that it will maintain its popularity in 2025 and possibly surpass last year's visitor numbers. The strong recovery in international travel has prompted airlines to add new routes. Lion Travel has identified Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and Bali, a city in Indonesia, as promising future markets.
Lion Travel noted that European travel bookings are visible through July. However, group tour prices to Italy are expected to rise by 10% to 20% due to the Catholic Jubilee Year in Vatican City. The company observed a growing trend in incentive travel and customized small group tours as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes. Lion Travel emphasized the rising popularity of in-depth and themed tours alongside the emergence of sustainable tourism issues.
Demand for "customized mini-tours" continues to increase, allowing travelers to adjust itineraries according to budget. Lion Travel reported a more than 10% growth in service numbers last year compared to 2023, and it expects over 20% growth this year. The Tourism Administration (觀光署) statistics revealed that from January to November 2024, 5,523,024 Taiwanese traveled to Japan, securing its position as the top destination.
