Filipino tourists remain Taiwan’s top market

A top official of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) said Filipino tourists remain Taiwan’s top market, which is why he is pushing to maintain the 14-day tourist visa-free status for Filipino vacationers in their country.

In an interview during the "Feel Your Heartbeat in Taipei" event at SM Aura Premier mall in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City, TECO Deputy Representative Minister Dustin Teng-shi Yang said nearly 470,000 Filipino tourists visited Taipei and other Taiwan tourist destinations in 2024.

“We want to maintain this program because it is good for both Taiwan and the Philippines. This as Taiwanese also now have visa-free entry to the Philippines. I cannot see any reason to stop this. It has to continue yearly,” Yang said.

Trailing the Philippines were Thailand and Vietnam in terms of foreign tourist arrivals in Taiwan.

Just this July 2025, Taiwanese citizens can now enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days, a reciprocal arrangement that mirrors Taiwan's existing visa-free policy for Filipino passport holders.

The two-day “Feel Your Heartbeat in Taipei” event, organized by the Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government, was graced by key representatives from the travel industry in the country, including the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA).

Following the implementation of the reciprocal visa-free policy between Taiwan and the Philippines in July, the Department of Information and Tourism has actively expanded its presence in the Philippine market and launched an integrated marketing strategy.

At the opening ceremony, vlogger The Poor Traveler enthusiastically recommended Taipei's night market culture, saying, “Taipei’s night markets are not only full of delicious street food, but also rich in warmth and hospitality - the vendors are incredibly friendly.” Krisell Lumagui shared her perspective as a family traveler: “Taipei is very family-friendly, making it easy and enjoyable for us to travel with kids.”

The two influencers’ engaging stories resonated strongly with the audience, with many attendees expressing their excitement and eagerness to follow in their footsteps and visit Taipei themselves.

After the opening ceremony, the four interactive “Heartbeat Experience Stations” officially opened to the public. These included “Feel Your Heartbeat in Taipei” (Taipei Love Confession Wall Station), “Color Taipei with Love” (Taipei Postcard Coloring Station), “Taste of Taipei Lucky Wheel” (Spin the Taipei Lucky Wheel Station), and “Start Your Taipei Adventure” (Taipei Travel Info Station & Taipei Check-in Wall).

Participants who complete all four experience stations will receive a beautifully designed eco-friendly tote bag and have a chance to win exciting prizes, such as a round-trip ticket from Manila to Taipei sponsored by Philippine Airlines or a dinner voucher for two aboard Taipei’s double-decker sightseeing bus.