The governments of Taiwan and the Philippines will explore the possibility of opening air and sea routes to improve tourist exchange.

The routes are the agenda of this year’s Taiwan-Philippines Smart Harbor Forum, set from 9 to 11 December in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

One of the forum’s aims is to promote cooperation between the southern Taiwan harbor, the Port of Subic Bay, and the local government of Ilocos Norte, which is close to Taiwan.

Ilocos Norte is home to the International Seaport of Currimao, which is being pushed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to be a cruise vessel destination.

In 2024, the PPA recorded a remarkable 61.9 percent increase in cruise passenger arrivals, reaching 142,574 passengers — a significant rise from 88,080 in 2023.

This marks the highest post-pandemic figure for the country, and the agency projects continued growth in 2025, expecting 185,000 cruise passengers, a 29.8 percent increase from the previous year.  

One of the attendees at the said forum is Ilocos Norte Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, who said they are bullish in creating synergy and partnership with Taiwan.

“Our presence at the forum will signify our serious commitment to doing business with Taiwan,” she said.

Aside from sea connectivity, Araneta-Marcos will also explore talks with the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office and Taiwan tourism officials regarding the revival of Kaohsiung-Laoag charter flights.

Aianree Raquel, Ilocos Norte’s tourism officer, said a direct flight from Kaohsiung International Airport to Laoag International Airport is just about an hour, making Taiwan an ideal market to entice tourists to visit the province.

She said Laoag International Airport used to receive Chinese and Taiwanese tourists on regular chartered flights from Guangzhou and Kaohsiung in the 90s and 2000s until it stopped in 2010 due to security threats and other factors.

Moreover, the upcoming forum is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to promote the so-called Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor.

In 2024, a total of 208,736 Taiwanese tourists visited the Philippines, according to the Department of Tourism.