AGP Executive Report

Concert Tourism: BTS drew 853,000 fans to 14 sold-out South American shows and is set to bring its world tour to Kaohsiung on Nov. 19, giving visitors another major reason to plan a Taiwan trip. Penghu Events: More than 4,100 runners from 22 countries took part in the Penghu Cross-Island Marathon, which linked three islands and showcased local food at 10 stations along the route. Scenic Rail: The Alishan Forest Railway offers a heritage journey from Chiayi into Taiwan’s mountain forests, climbing more than 8,000 feet through tunnels, bridges and a dramatic spiral. Travel Trade: Taiwan’s Tourism Administration promoted its #100WaysToWonder campaign to Southern California travel advisors, highlighting food, culture, nature, shopping and Indigenous experiences. Cruise Access: Royal Caribbean’s Singapore sailings include longer itineraries to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, adding another regional route for travelers.

Alishan by Rail: The Forest Railway offers a scenic route from Chiayi into the mountains, climbing above 8,000 feet through tunnels, bridges and forest landscapes. Penghu on Foot: More than 4,100 runners joined the island-hopping marathon, with food stations serving local specialties along the course. Tourism Promotion: Taiwan’s tourism administration showcased food, culture and nature experiences to travel advisors in San Diego, alongside a Paiwan bead-making workshop. Seasonal Getaways: Hualien’s Pacific Hot Spring Season is underway through November. Visitor Trends: Foreign arrivals and visitor spending both fell in September, pointing to a softer month for Taiwan’s tourism sector.

Tourism Promotion: Taiwan’s tourism administration took its #100WaysToWonder campaign to San Diego, introducing travel advisers to food, culture, nature and other experiences, plus a Paiwan bead-making workshop. Taipei Pride: Tens of thousands joined the city’s parade, drawing visitors from across Asia. But a recent police raid at a gay bar has unsettled the community and raised concerns about Taiwan’s LGBTQ-friendly image. Flight Access: Pakistan reversed a brief ban on Taiwanese airlines’ overflight access after a three-day dispute, easing concerns for EVA Air and China Airlines routes. Seasonal Travel: Hualien’s Pacific Hot Spring Season is underway through November. Getting Around: Tainan has opened the first section of its underground railway, a step toward reconnecting neighborhoods once divided by the tracks.

Taiwan Pride: Tens of thousands joined Taipei’s Pride parade, drawing visitors from across Asia. The celebration comes amid concern that a recent police raid on a gay bar could dent Taiwan’s reputation as an inclusive destination. Regional Travel: Foreign arrivals through South Korea’s regional airports rose 37.4% in January–September to 3.24 million; arrivals from Taiwan jumped 60.4%, with 650,000 entering through Gimhae. Airline Access: Pakistan restored overflight access for EVA Air and China Airlines after a brief restriction, ending a disruption that could have forced longer routes and raised costs. Seasonal Escapes: Hualien’s 2026 Pacific Hot Spring Season is underway through November. Getting Around: Tainan has opened the first section of its underground railway, a project set to remove barriers through the city and create new walking and cycling links.

Airline Access: Pakistan restored overflight permission for EVA Air and China Airlines on Oct. 28, ending a three-day disruption that raised concerns about longer routes and politicized airspace. LGBTQ+ Travel: A police raid at a Taipei gay bar has unsettled the community ahead of Pride, prompting concerns that the incident could dent Taiwan’s reputation as a welcoming destination. Hot Springs: Hualien’s 2026 Pacific Hot Spring Season is underway through November, giving travelers a timely reason to visit the county. Getting Around: Tainan’s first underground railway section has opened, beginning a major shift in how visitors move through the city; plans for a greenway and better links to buses, walking and cycling will shape the wider impact. Taipei Guide: The capital pairs night markets and a strong food scene with easy escapes to riverside bike routes, Yangmingshan trails and hot springs. Tourism Trends: Taiwan’s visitor arrivals and spending fell in September, a setback after signs of recovery.

Tourism Outlook: Taiwan’s visitor arrivals and tourism spending both declined in September, pointing to softer demand ahead of the year-end travel season. Hot-Spring Getaways: Hualien’s Pacific Hot Spring Season runs through Nov. 15, promoting Ruisui and Antong’s thermal waters, seasonal light displays and shuttle links. Getting Around: Uber has launched an hourly charter service in northern Taiwan for flexible day trips. Taipei MRT is also extending service at three stations for Nuit Blanche. New Air Link: VietJet Air has launched a direct Tainan–Hanoi route, adding a connection between southern Taiwan and Vietnam.

Hualien Hot Springs: Hualien’s Pacific Hot Spring Season is underway through Nov. 15, with events and shuttle links serving the Ruisui and Antong hot spring districts. Flight Routes: Pakistan restored overflight permissions for China Airlines and EVA Air after a brief restriction disrupted routes to Europe; approvals run through March 27, 2027. Cruises: Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas is spending a year in Singapore, offering 12-night sailings to Tokyo with stops in Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong. Getting Around: Uber has launched hourly charter rides in northern Taiwan, adding a flexible option for travelers exploring beyond city centers.

Air Access: Pakistan has restored overflight permits for China Airlines and EVA Air after a brief restriction forced some Europe-bound flights onto longer routes. The permits are valid through March 27, 2027, though some flights were still avoiding Pakistani airspace during the changeover. Getting Around: Uber has launched an hourly charter service in northern Taiwan, adding a flexible option for visitors exploring beyond city centers. Hualien Hot Springs: The 2026 Pacific Hot Spring Season is welcoming international travelers, putting the region’s thermal waters in the spotlight. New Connections: VietJet Air has launched a Tainan–Hanoi route, giving southern Taiwan travelers a new direct link to Vietnam. Local Discovery: Taiwan’s Share My Taiwan Expat Series is encouraging visitors to explore beyond the usual tourist trail.

Air Links: Pakistan restored overflight permits for China Airlines and EVA Air through March 27, 2027, reversing a three-day restriction that had sent Taiwan–Europe flights over Russia. Getting Around: Uber has launched an hourly charter service in northern Taiwan, offering visitors a flexible way to explore beyond city centres. Hot Springs: Hualien is welcoming international visitors for its 2026 Pacific Hot Spring Season. City Nights: Taipei MRT will extend service at three stations for Nuit Blanche, making it easier to get around during the late-night arts event. Live Events: KATSEYE will bring its 2027 tour to Taipei as part of an Asia-Pacific run, giving fans another reason to plan a Taiwan trip.

Air Access: Pakistan has reversed its airspace ban on Taiwanese airlines, allowing China Airlines and EVA Air to resume overflights through March 27 after reroutes disrupted Asia–Europe services. Getting Around: Uber’s new hourly charter service covers Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan and Hsinchu, with customizable trips of two to 10 hours—handy for sightseeing and day trips. Autumn Getaway: Hualien’s Pacific Hot Spring Season runs through Nov. 15, with events, light displays and shuttle links to Ruisui and Antong hot springs. New Route: VietJet Air has launched Tainan–Hanoi service, adding a direct option between southern Taiwan and Vietnam. What’s On: Taipei’s MRT will extend service at three stations for Nuit Blanche, while SM Classics brings orchestral K-pop concerts to the National Concert Hall on Nov. 14 and 15.

Hualien Hot Springs: The 2026 Pacific Hot Spring Season runs through Nov. 15, inviting visitors to Ruisui and Antong for mineral baths, light displays, AR activities and shuttle links to local attractions. Travel Planning: A new travel database includes more than 63,000 verified Taipei records, from MRT fares to night-market hours, designed to help visitors and AI travel services find current local information. Regional Connections: VietJet Air has launched a Tainan–Hanoi route, while Taiwan travel agents toured Clark, Subic Bay and Bataan to explore new package options for Taiwanese visitors.

New Air Links: Vietravel Airlines took delivery of an A321 on Oct. 27 and plans to open ticket sales in November for Hanoi–Taipei and Da Nang–Kaohsiung routes, adding capacity ahead of the year-end travel peak. South Korea’s winter schedule also adds Busan–Guangzhou and Busan–Xiamen flights, with Taipei among Gimhae Airport’s destinations. Taiwan’s Tourism Push: Taiwan is promoting fly-cruise holidays to Indian travelers, while a new “Share My Taiwan” series aims to take visitors beyond familiar tourist spots. Regional Sales: Taiwan-based travel agents toured Clark, Subic Bay and Bataan to explore packages for the Taiwan market, with Clark International Airport presented as a convenient gateway.

New Ways to Explore: Taiwan’s tourism office is pitching North American travelers on locally curated trips, starting with a five-day west-coast cycling journey shaped by an expat’s route knowledge. Culture Stops: A new guide highlights Taipei’s National Palace Museum and its celebrated Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone. Air Links: VietJet has launched a Tainan–Hanoi route, while Taiwan is courting Indian visitors with fly-cruise packages across Northeast Asia. Onboard Comfort: EVA Air topped Skytrax’s 2026 Premium Economy rankings, ahead of Emirates and Singapore Airlines. Storm Aftermath: Typhoon Champi left one person dead, hundreds injured and travel badly disrupted, with mass flight cancellations and rail closures across Taiwan.

New Ways to Explore: Taiwan’s tourism office in Los Angeles has launched a series of locally shaped trips, starting with a five-day west-coast cycling route featuring food, heritage and communities beyond the usual sights. Culture: Taipei’s National Palace Museum is a standout for visitors, with its famed Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone among centuries of art and historical treasures. Travel Deals: Japanese PayPay users can get 50% off eligible iPASS cards at participating 7-ELEVEN stores in Taiwan. Coming Up: The International Travel Fair returns to Taipei Nov. 6–9, with themed trips ranging from cruises and rail journeys to hiking and nature tours. Air Links: VietJet Air has launched a Tainan–Hanoi route, adding a direct option between southern Taiwan and Vietnam’s capital. Travel Disruptions: Typhoon Champi recently caused widespread flight cancellations and other transport interruptions; travelers should check with airlines about any lingering changes.

Travel Fair: Taiwan’s International Travel Fair runs Nov. 6–9 in Taipei, with exhibitors from 123 countries and cities showcasing cruises, polar expeditions, scenic rail trips, hiking and other experience-led itineraries. New Air Link: VietJet Air has started four weekly flights between Tainan and Hanoi; all 230 seats on the inaugural outbound service were sold. India Market: Taiwan is promoting fly-cruise packages that combine stays on the island with trips to Japan and South Korea, with EVA Air’s planned Delhi–Taipei service from Dec. 1 expected to support the push. Typhoon Recovery: Champi disrupted flights, trains and ferries, and forced the closure of Alishan Forest Railway; travellers should check service updates as operations resume. On the Roads: Heavy return traffic is expected on 11 freeway sections today, the final day of the holiday weekend. Officials advise southern motorists to leave before 9 a.m. and northbound drivers on Freeway 5 to set out before 9 a.m. Japan Bound: Taiwan remained Japan’s second-largest visitor market in the first nine months of 2026, with arrivals up 19.1% year on year to nearly 6 million.

Typhoon Aftermath: Champi has moved away, but its toll on travel was severe: one person died, 616 were injured, and hundreds of thousands of households lost power. Flight, rail and ferry services were disrupted, including Alishan Forest Railway closures. Check with operators before travelling. Holiday Traffic: Congestion is expected on 11 freeway sections Monday as travellers return from the long weekend; authorities advise setting out early. New Air Link: VietJet Air launched four weekly Tainan–Hanoi flights, with all 230 seats on Sunday’s inaugural outbound service sold. Travel Fair: Taiwan’s International Travel Fair runs Nov. 6–9 in Taipei, featuring exhibitors from 123 countries and themed trips ranging from cruises and scenic rail to hiking and nature tours. India Market: Taiwan is promoting fly-cruise packages linking the island with Japan and South Korea, with EVA Air’s planned Delhi–Taipei service from Dec. 1 expected to boost access.