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Taiwan’s hospitality sector struggles with labor shortage
Discover how Taiwan’s booming travel sector contrasts with its hospitality industry’s labor shortage, as Minister Chen Shih-kai discusses solutions and aims for 10 million visitors.
14小時前
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Minister urges Mid-Autumn Festival visits to Hualien
Discover how Hualien aims to revive tourism with a new hotel discount plan following natural disasters. Officials discuss support measures and challenges facing the industry.
2024/09/11 10:20
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President Lai to mark 66th anniversary of Kinmen battle
Discover how Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Kinmen for the 66th anniversary of the August 23 Artillery Battle could influence cross-strait relations and Kinmen’s tourism. Learn about the anticipation surrounding his actions and potential statements.
2024/08/22 17:10
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Kinmen officials to visit Beijing for tourism talks
Explore how Kinmen County Council Speaker Hung Yun-tien and KMT legislator Chen Yu-chen aim to boost cross-strait tourism by leading a delegation to Beijing on Aug. 21. They plan to discuss reopening tourism and propose initiatives to strengthen ties.
2024/08/21 10:47
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Summer Travel Expo kicks off with China’s participation
Discover the highlights of the 2024 Taipei Summer Travel Expo, including the participation of 155 officials from China and over 500 exhibitors. Learn about the event’s aim to enhance Taiwan-China tourism relations, running from July 12-15.
2024/07/12 15:17
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Chinese tour group to visit Matsu despite travel warning
Discover how a Chinese tour group’s visit to Matsu, Taiwan, proceeds amid heightened travel advisories and political tensions between Taiwan and China. Learn more about the implications for cross-strait relations.
2024/06/28 11:08
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China reiterates plans to reopen tourism with Taiwan
The Taiwan Affairs Office reiterates China’s plans to reopen tourism with Taiwan, criticizing the DPP for maintaining a tour group ban, while efforts to resume cross-strait exchanges continue.
2024/06/12 15:29
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President Lai commits to boosting cross-strait tourism
Discover how Taiwan aims to boost cross-strait tourism with a focus on mutual respect and shared prosperity, as announced by President Lai Ching-te at the Taipei Tourism Exposition. Learn about the government’s strategies for sustainable tourism and international integration.
2024/05/31 14:52
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President Lai champions peace, tourism growth at Taipei expo
Discover how President Lai Ching-te is promoting peace across the Taiwan Strait and advancing Taiwan’s tourism sector, including digital initiatives and global AI development, at the Taipei Tourism Exposition.
2024/05/31 14:10
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Premier Cho calls for Chinese goodwill in tourism standoff
Discover the latest on Taiwan’s decision to allow pre-organized tours to China despite an initial suspension, aiming to revive cross-strait tourism amid zero group travel from China. Learn about the government’s flexible approach and hopes for mutual goodwill.
2024/05/30 16:45
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Taiwan’s travel agencies challenge ongoing China travel ban
Taiwan’s travel agencies urge the government to reconsider the prolonged group travel ban to China, arguing it is unconstitutional and harms cross-strait relations and the travel industry.
2024/05/30 16:06
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Taiwan maintains ban on group tours to China
Discover the latest on the ban on group tours to China for Taiwanese citizens, as the Travel Agents Association confirms no changes despite industry calls for easing restrictions.
2024/05/29 17:53
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Kaohsiung travel agents demand end to China tour ban
Discover how the Kaohsiung Association of Travel Agents is urging President Lai Ching-te’s administration to lift the ban on group tours to China by June 1, amid industry frustrations and hopes for improved cross-strait relations.
2024/05/24 17:44
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Taiwan faces underground tourism risk amid China travel ban
Explore the impact of a potential ban on Taiwanese travel groups to China starting June 1, as discussed by Chen Yi-hsuan. With 80% of Taiwan’s travel agencies involved with China, the industry faces the risk of unregulated tourism. Efforts to negotiate with China have begun, highlighting the economic significance of Chinese tourists to Taiwan and urging the new government to prioritize cross-strait exchanges. Concerns over legal, safety, and transportation issues are also raised by industry leaders.
2024/05/07 14:42
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Political tensions and natural disasters impact tourism
Chu Chien-meng of the Development Association for Taiwan Tour Guide shares a bleak outlook for Taiwan’s tourism in 2023 due to unresolved political tensions with China and a new ban on group tours. The industry also faces challenges from recent natural disasters and legal issues, despite calls for more open policies to boost tourism and economic growth.
2024/05/07 14:38
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Taiwan unveils NT$3B plan to revive tourism after quake
Discover how Taiwan’s Minister of Transportation and Communications, Wang Kwo-tsai, unveils three comprehensive revitalization plans for Hualien following a devastating earthquake. These initiatives aim to support the local tourism industry, provide accommodations for victims, and offer subsidies to tourists, with an estimated budget of NT$3 billion. Learn more about the impact of the April 7.2 magnitude quake on Hualien’s tourism, including hotel closures and layoffs, and the government’s efforts to rejuvenate the area in the coming months.
2024/04/17 13:19
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Taiwan calls for goodwill from China to resume tourism
Taipei (TVBS News) - Taiwan’s Minister of Transportation and Communications, Wang Kuo-tsai, urges China to show goodwill towards resuming tourism and travel between the two countries. The Ministry of Transport and Communications banned local travel agencies from arranging tours to China in early 2024, leading to backlash from the tourism sector. Wang emphasized the government’s commitment to healthy interactions with China and hopes for the return of Chinese tourists to Taiwan. The goal of attracting 12 million international tourists to Taiwan this year remains unchanged, with the potential for two million visits from China, depending on pandemic control. The MOTC will evaluate the impact of the ban on travel agencies and work on solutions. Discussions with airlines will ensure affected travel agencies can refund their clients for booking issues.
2024/02/22 12:01
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Taiwan’s travel ban on China tours sparks industry outcry
The story discusses the Taiwan Tourism Administration’s ban on travel agencies organizing group trips to China, citing national security concerns. Hsiao Po-jen, President of the Taiwan’s Travel Agent Association, seeks to address industry concerns with President-elect Lai Ching-te. The directive has sparked protests from the travel industry, with potential penalties for violators. The Tourism Administration cites the "Act for the Development of Tourism" to support the ban, threatening license termination for those jeopardizing national interests. Hsiao argues that organizing travel groups should not be deemed harmful to national interests, hinting at possible legal actions in response.
2024/02/20 11:26
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Taiwan halts tour solicitations to China amid tensions
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has abruptly halted the solicitation of tours to China, reversing its previous policy. Originally scheduled to open on March 1, tours from Taiwan to China were limited to a daily reference cap of 2,000 people, with the possibility of adjustments based on the travel industry’s ability to attract customers. The decision to halt the tours immediately was made in response to China’s failure to organize tours to Taiwan and its unilateral change of the M503 flight route without goodwill, which poses a threat to flight safety. The Tourism Administration, a part of the MOTC, believes that given the current circumstances, it is not in the best interest of Taiwanese nationals to travel to China. They continue to appeal to China to demonstrate goodwill and promote cross-strait tourism exchange. Tours that have already been solicited and are due to depart between March 1 and May 31, 2024, will proceed as planned to protect passenger rights, but tours after June 1 are not permitted to depart. Travel companies are urged to refrain from soliciting customers to avoid potential disputes.
2024/02/07 17:06
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Taiwan travel agents urge for earlier pre-strike notices
The Travel Agent Association of R.O.C., Taiwan, has urged aviation unions to give a one-month notice before going on strike to mitigate social repercussions. They warned that another strike could have a devastating impact on the aviation industry. This call comes as EVA Air pilots, in collaboration with the Taoyuan Union of Pilots (TUP), have secured the right to strike. The planned strike is set for the Lunar New Year period, which is a peak travel period. The pilots aim to safeguard their rights, but the Travel Agent Association emphasized that such action would significantly affect consumers and travel agencies. They criticized past unplanned strikes by China Airlines’ cabin crew, pilots, and EVA Air’s cabin crew for disregarding consumer rights. The association emphasized the adoption of international pre-strike notice processes to allow sufficient time for negotiations and consensus-building, benefiting both consumers and labor.
2024/01/23 17:33
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T’way Air revives Incheon-Taichung route, boosting tourism
T’way Air has resumed operations on its Incheon-to-Taichung route, with the maiden flight carrying 189 passengers. Taichung City’s Tourism and Travel Bureau held a welcoming event for the inaugural flight and believes that reopening the route will deepen tourism exchanges between Taichung and Korea. Director Chen Mei-hsiu cited Taichung’s mild climate, convenient location, rich tourist resources, and food culture as attractions for Korean visitors. The Incheon-Taichung route, operating a Boeing 737-800, will have seven weekly flights, with daily round-trip service in winter. T’way Air is the third Korean airline operating the route, following Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. In 2023, the number of tourists traveling from Korea to Taiwan reached 470,000, ranking third after Japan.
2024/01/05 17:49
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EVA Air announces record 6-month year-end bonus
EVA Air, a Taiwanese airline, has announced a record six-month year-end bonus, the highest since its establishment. The bonus will also be distributed to its subsidiaries, including airport services, sky kitchens, and aviation technologies. In addition, EVA Air plans to adjust salaries for employees in 2024, with ground and cabin crew members seeing an average adjustment of NT$5,000 and pilots receiving adjustments ranging from NT$11,000 to NT$20,000 based on their position. However, this announcement comes amidst potential strike action by EVA Air pilots, leading to concerns that the wage increase announcements are an attempt to pacify them. The Taoyuan Flight Attendants’ Union has emphasized the importance of fair distribution of year-end bonuses and salary increases regardless of the proposed pilot action. Rival airlines Starlux and China Airlines have also announced their year-end bonuses, with Starlux providing a one-month bonus and an approved salary increase of NT$2,000, and China Airlines reportedly planning to distribute a three-month bonus (although the union is demanding five months’ worth). In the marine transportation industry, YangMing Marine Transport Corporation has scaled down its year-end bonus from 13 months last year to two months this year due to a downturn in the shipping industry. The shipping corporations’ lower year-end bonuses are attributed to the "revenge-travel boom" post-pandemic. Other industries with high year-end bonuses include finance, semiconductor, and construction, with 1.83, 1.38, and 1.23 months respectively.
2023/12/26 10:09
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Taipei Songshan Airport taxis bring back NT$50 parking fee
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, taxis from the Taipei Songshan Airport will charge a $50 stay service fee, aligning with fees at Taoyuan and Kaohsiung airports. This decision, made following evaluations by the taxi fare review committees of Taipei and New Taipei cities, aims to address rigorous competition and rising operational costs in the industry. Passengers traveling through the airport, also known as Taipei International Airport, should take note of the new transportation cost changes, especially during peak travel periods such as New Year’s Day, the Lunar New Year, and the 228 holidays. The airport authorities have urged scheduled taxi operators to provide quality service and inform passengers about the fee change through verbal explanations and in-vehicle signs. Additionally, the airport offers free parking for the first 30 minutes, providing some relief for those being dropped off by family members.
2023/12/25 19:11
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Taiwan to subsidize foreign business travelers in 2024
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in Taiwan have announced a new "Subsidiary Tourism" program aimed at boosting business travel. Foreign business travelers will be eligible for a subsidy of up to NT$2,000 starting next year. The program has a budget of NT$10 million and aims to support foreign business visitors to Taiwan. Stocks of related hotels have surged in response to this policy push, with analysts predicting positive growth for the tourism industry. The reduction in extended public holidays next year is expected to favor domestic tourism momentum and improve hotel occupancy rates. Overall, businesses and investors anticipate a robust year ahead for the hotel industry in Taiwan.
2023/12/20 17:27
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Eva Air shares surge as foreign investors buy in
Foreign investors have purchased a net 8,926 shares of Eva Air, making it the fourth most bought by foreigners in the session. The recovery in travel and business after the pandemic has improved operations in the aviation industry, with staff shortages at airports in northeast Asia finally relaxing. Demand for flights to China, Hong Kong, and Macao is gradually increasing, with booking rates for northeast Asian routes exceeding 90 percent. Eva Air plans to focus on routes in northeast Asia and to China, Hong Kong, and Macao as its operational priority next year, with an expected increase in weekly flights to a total of 538. The airline is also set to take delivery of two Boeing 787-10 aircraft, enhancing its fleet deployment flexibility.
2023/12/07 18:53