Taiwan, Taipei and Tainan are preparing for a major tourism expansion as the island launches a NT$33.3 billion tourism programme in September 2026, equivalent to approximately US$1.05 billion. The initiative targets 10 million international visitors and introduces measures designed to encourage overseas travellers to return, stay longer and spend more across Taiwan.
The programme includes financial incentives for selected repeat visitors, accommodation support and group travel measures. Among the announced initiatives is a NT$5,000 spending credit for eligible overseas visitors returning to Taiwan, adding another incentive for travellers who have already experienced the island and are planning another journey.
Repeat visitors become a major tourism focus
The new programme places repeat travel at the centre of Taiwan’s international tourism strategy. Instead of focusing only on first-time arrivals, the measures are designed to encourage previous visitors to return and explore different parts of the island.
Taiwan offers several contrasting travel environments within a relatively compact destination. Travellers can combine Taipei’s modern city attractions with Tainan’s historic districts, Kaohsiung’s waterfront, central Taiwan’s mountain landscapes and eastern Taiwan’s natural scenery.
For repeat visitors, these destinations create opportunities to experience parts of Taiwan that may not have been included during an initial trip.
Taipei provides the main international gateway
Taipei remains the principal starting point for many international visitors. The capital combines modern shopping districts, historic neighbourhoods, temples, museums and a major food culture.
Travellers can visit Taipei 101, explore the National Palace Museum, walk through Ximending and visit traditional temples. Night markets such as Shilin and Raohe provide opportunities to experience Taiwanese street food and local shopping.
The city also provides convenient access to day-trip destinations, including Jiufen, Yangmingshan and northern coastal areas.
Tainan adds Taiwan’s historic dimension
Tainan offers a different tourism experience centred on history, temples, traditional food and preserved neighbourhoods. As one of Taiwan’s oldest cities, it contains numerous historic buildings and religious sites.
Travellers can explore Anping, Chihkan Tower and a wide range of temples while experiencing the city’s distinctive food culture. Tainan is particularly associated with traditional Taiwanese dishes and provides opportunities for food-focused itineraries.
The city can be included in longer journeys through southern Taiwan, connecting cultural tourism with destinations in Kaohsiung and beyond.
Kaohsiung expands southern tourism
Kaohsiung provides another major destination for international visitors, combining a large urban centre with waterfront attractions and cultural districts.
The Pier-2 Art Center, Love River and Lotus Pond are among the city’s visitor attractions, while the nearby Cijin area provides beaches, seafood and harbour views.
The city’s rail connections also make it possible to incorporate Kaohsiung into multi-city Taiwan itineraries linking northern and southern destinations.
Taiwan offers diverse nature experiences
Beyond its cities, Taiwan provides mountains, forests, lakes and coastal landscapes. Sun Moon Lake is one of the island’s best-known scenic destinations, offering cycling routes, boat excursions and views across the surrounding mountains.
The east coast provides another travel experience, with coastal scenery, indigenous culture and outdoor activities.
Hualien has traditionally served as a base for exploring the region’s dramatic landscapes, including the Taroko area, although access to individual attractions can vary according to current conditions and restoration work.
Repeat travel can encourage regional exploration
The tourism programme’s focus on repeat visitors can encourage travellers to explore destinations beyond their first itinerary. A visitor who previously stayed in Taipei may return for Tainan’s heritage, Kaohsiung’s waterfront or eastern Taiwan’s natural landscapes.
This approach can distribute visitor spending across different regions, accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators and attractions.
Travellers can also create themed itineraries around food, culture, cycling, hiking, hot springs or coastal exploration.
Financial incentives target international travellers
The NT$5,000 spending credit is one of the programme’s most prominent visitor incentives. The measure is designed for selected repeat international travellers returning to Taiwan and forms part of the broader NT$33.3 billion tourism initiative.
Other measures are expected to support accommodation and group travel, creating additional opportunities for visitors travelling independently, with families or as part of organised groups.
The programme is scheduled to begin in September 2026, providing new incentives as Taiwan works to increase international visitor numbers.
Taiwan strengthens accommodation options
Accommodation support forms another component of the tourism programme. Taiwan’s visitor network includes international hotels, boutique properties, guesthouses, hostels and traditional accommodation.
Travellers can choose from city hotels in Taipei and Kaohsiung, historic-area stays in Tainan and nature-oriented accommodation near lakes, mountains and coastal destinations.
A longer stay can combine several accommodation styles, allowing visitors to experience Taiwan through both urban and regional destinations.
Food tourism remains a major attraction
Taiwan’s food culture provides another reason for international visitors to return. Night markets, traditional restaurants, tea houses, street-food stalls and modern dining venues are found across the island.
Taipei is known for its night markets and diverse restaurant scene, while Tainan has a strong reputation for traditional local cuisine. Kaohsiung adds seafood and southern Taiwanese dishes, while regional towns provide additional culinary experiences.
Food-focused travel can therefore become part of a repeat visit built around different cities and regions.
Taiwan combines culture, nature and modern travel
The island’s tourism offer allows visitors to move between different experiences within one journey. A trip can begin with Taipei’s museums and urban attractions, continue to Tainan for heritage and cuisine, then move south to Kaohsiung or east toward Hualien and the mountains.
Hot springs, cycling routes, hiking trails, temples, markets and coastal attractions provide additional options for longer itineraries.
The variety gives repeat visitors the ability to create substantially different journeys without leaving Taiwan.
The 10 million visitor target shapes the strategy
The NT$33.3 billion programme sets a clear international tourism target of 10 million visitors. Its focus on repeat travellers, accommodation support, group travel and visitor incentives is designed to strengthen international demand and encourage greater spending.
For travellers, the programme introduces new reasons to consider Taiwan for another holiday, particularly those who have previously visited Taipei or other major destinations.
With September 2026 marking the launch of the initiative, Taiwan is placing Taipei, Tainan, Kaohsiung, its mountain regions and eastern landscapes within a broader tourism strategy aimed at attracting more international visitors and encouraging them to discover more of the island.
