MANILA, Philippines — Taiwan stepped up its tourism campaign in the Philippines as it sought to attract more Filipino travelers, with 1,133 visitors attending a recent two-day tourism event in Makati City.
The Taiwan Tourism Administration held the 2026 Taiwan Day in Manila at One Ayala, where it promoted Taiwan through food, culture, outdoor activities and stopover travel.
Taiwan remains among the top three overseas destinations for Filipino travelers, according to the latest 2026 statistics from the Philippine Department of Tourism.
Philippine outbound travel reached 7.64 million trips in 2025, a 12 percent increase from the previous year, providing Taiwan with a growing market for international travelers.
The Taiwan Tourism Administration said convenient air connections and its visa-free entry program have helped sustain Taiwan's appeal among Filipino tourists.
For this year's campaign, the administration is focusing on four travel themes — food, culture, outdoor travel and stopovers — while strengthening its engagement with Philippine travel operators and prospective visitors through the Taiwan Tourism Information Center in Manila.
The Taiwan Day event also featured four travel videos produced by Filipino content creators who explored Taiwan based on the four themes.
Fashion, food and lifestyle creator Laureen Uy-Cruz explored Michelin Guide restaurants for the food-themed “Waves of Flavor.” Travel vlog The Poor Traveler featured Tamsui Old Street and the Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival in “Waves of Culture.”
Vlogger and actor Kimpoy Feliciano explored Sun Moon Lake and Guguan Hot Spring for the outdoor-themed “Waves of Vitality,” while former flight attendant Jen Barangan-David featured Taiwan as a stopover destination in “Waves of Stopover.”
The administration also launched the “Taiwan 100 Ways – Film Your Way” short-video contest with the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines, supported by China Airlines and STARLUX Airlines.
The contest is open to Filipinos from Aug. 22, 2026, to Jan. 15, 2027. Entrants are required to submit 30- to 60-second vertical videos featuring Taiwan.
Winners will be recognized at “Taiwan Day in Cebu” in March 2027.
Taiwan Tourism Administration Director Cindy Chen said the enthusiasm of Filipino travelers was driving the agency's continued efforts in the Philippine market.
The administration is also promoting repeat visits through its “Return to Taiwan, Double Your Luck” program, which offers travel credits to eligible Filipino independent travelers returning to Taiwan.
