Taiwan

Market Overview Visitor arrivals from Taiwan have been in steady decline since 1995 when the market peaked at 64,000 visitors per year.

Seventy-seven per cent of Taiwanese visitors come to New Zealand on mono-destination holidays and nearly half are repeat visitors, making them a valuable market for New Zealand.

However, visitor arrivals from Taiwan have been in decline for a number of years. The strong New Zealand dollar and high fuel prices have made New Zealand a more expensive choice. In October 2008 the only direct air services between Taiwan and New Zealand were suspended as EVA Airways withdrew services.

Outlook

Recent arrivals statistics reflect an overall decrease in outbound travel from Taiwan, down 27 per cent in the year ending October 2008. Consumer confidence is low and concerns about the US economic crisis and domestic political uncertainties are impacting willingness to travel.

Taiwan’s economy saw negative growth of -1 per cent in the third quarter of 2008, the biggest drop seen in seven years. As part of wider efforts to boost consumption, www.asianewsnet.net has reported that the Taiwanese government plans to give out $2.5 billion worth of shopping vouchers to consumers early next year.

Tourism New Zealand expects total holiday arrivals to continue to decrease by a further 25-30 per cent in the November to January quarter as a result of the cancellation of EVA Air services.

Positively, the wedding season is coming up and New Zealand has been promoted as the best destination for honeymooning. Local travel agents are expecting that they will have an increase in honeymoon travel to New Zealand during the January Chinese New Year period.

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