Taiwan opens first tourism hub in the Philippines amid travel boom

MANILA, Philippines — Taiwan opened its first tourism center in Manila on Friday, targeting its biggest Southeast Asian market after Filipino visitors in the country reached 371,593 in the first 10 months of 2024.

The surge in Filipino tourists in Taiwan — a 35% increase from 2023 — has exceeded Taiwan's expectations and could reach 500,000 by next year, according to Wallace Chow, the representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Manila. 

This growth comes after Taiwan extended its visa-free entry policy for Filipinos, allowing stays of up to 14 days until July 2025.

“With this establishment, we have a real center which can become a platform introducing Filipino friends to develop their own tourism program in Taiwan,” said Chow, Taipei's de-facto ambassador to Manila, during the inauguration of the new tourism office on Friday, December 20.  

Located at 100 West Makati, the Taiwan Tourism Information Center will be managed by the Taiwan Tourism Administration's Bangkok office. The facility aims to serve as a comprehensive resource hub for Filipino travelers, offering up-to-date information about Taiwan's tourist destinations, cultural attractions and travel requirements.

The Philippines has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in adherence to the One China policy. The self-ruled island, however, conducts its relations with Manila through the TECO, while the Philippines maintains similar exchanges through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan.

In June, the Bureau of Consular Affairs of Taiwan’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs announced a one-year extension of visa-free entry for citizens of the Philippines, Brunei, and Thailand from Aug. 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025. — Cristina Chi