The Bureau of Immigration recorded a 6.32 percent increase in arrivals of Taiwanese tourists, according to information from the Department of Tourism (DoT) on Friday.

The DoT said that BI logged 213,928 Taiwanese tourists visiting the Philippines in 2025, up from 201,203 in 2024 due to improved travel access, restored connectivity, and sustained destination visibility, reinforcing Taiwan’s position as one of the Philippines’ key source markets in Northeast Asia.

The rebound comes amid a highly competitive regional travel environment, in which, in 2025, Taiwan’s outbound travel market grew by 12.43 percent overall, with destinations such as Japan, Greater China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand continuing to dominate outbound traffic.

The Philippines ranked 9th among Taiwan’s outbound destinations, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC).

Theranking underscores both the challenges and opportunities in the market.  “The 6.32 percent growth reflects the steady return of Taiwanese travelers to the Philippines after a highly competitive year across Asia,” said Chriselle May S. Yambao, Tourism Attaché of the Philippine Department of Tourism in Taiwan. “It confirms that our market fundamentals remain strong and that demand for Philippine destinations continues to be resilient.”

Visa-Free access

According to the DoT, a key factor supporting the Philippines’ improved performance in the Taiwan market was the continued visa-free entry policy for Taiwanese travelers, which lowered travel barriers and enhanced the country’s competitiveness for short-haul leisure, cruise, and incentive travel.

The policy advantage was complemented by increased air connectivity throughout the year. Both commercial and charter flight operations saw expanded routes and frequencies in 2025, allowing airlines to better respond to seasonal demand and giving travelers more flexibility in planning their trips.

At the same time, the Philippines strengthened its presence in the regional cruise sector. The introduction of new cruise itineraries, including Star Cruises’ Star Navigator sailing via Kaohsiung, expanded access to Philippine ports and introduced destinations beyond traditional gateways to Taiwanese travelers.

The said developments helped diversify travel options and supported demand recovery in the latter half of the year. “Improved connectivity and easier travel access were the main pillars of this recovery,” Yambao added. “With more flights, more cruise options, and visa-free entry, traveling to the Philippines became more convenient and more attractive for Taiwanese visitors.”

The Philippines enters 2026 with renewed confidence and cautious optimism in the Taiwan market. With visa-free access in place, improved connectivity by air and sea, and a growing range of destinations and experiences, the country is well-positioned to build on the recovery achieved in 2025.