The total number of Taiwanese tourists that traveled to Europe this year was expected to increase by nearly 50 percent from a year ago thanks to both the introduction of the EU’s visa-waiver program and a wedding rush brought on by the centennial anniversary of the Republic of China (ROC), experts said yesterday.
About 200,000 Taiwanese departures for European countries have been recorded over the first nine months of the year, marking 30 percent year-on-year growth, local travel agencies said, citing Tourism Bureau statistics.
The surge was mainly a result of simplified travel procedures following the introduction of the visa-waiver program, which started in January, allowing Taiwanese passport holders to enter 35 European countries visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within a six-month period.
“European-bound travel has seen an explosion,” a Travel Quality Assurance Association official said.
The association expects even better market performance in the last quarter of the year, because those who flock to Europe for Christmas or New Year’s Eve celebrations are likely to extend the growth margin.
According to industry insiders, another factor that has reinforced the European travel fever is the wedding rush brought on by the ROC’s centennial anniversary.
The Lion Travel Service Co said that newlyweds have become major customers this year because the number 100 symbolizes a long and happy marriage in Chinese culture.
According to the travel agency, Europe is traditionally regarded by Taiwanese as the best honeymoon destination.
The Lion Travel Service Co added that it expected the company’s European travel sales to continue to surge by between 10 and 20 percent early next year because many couples have been booking trips for the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.
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