Over 120 countries and cities are participating in the 2025 Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF), which opened today with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) giving the opening address. In his statements, Lai said that the Transportation Ministry should assist businesses in building international connections to help “establish the nation and make friends through tourism”. The 2025 ITF, organized by the Taiwan Tourism Organization, opened on Friday and will last through Monday.

Lai said Taiwan can leverage its beautiful natural scenery and diverse culture to establish itself through tourism and drive economic development. Last year, domestic tourism generated over NT$800 billion (US$25.8 billion), which he hopes to raise to the trillions by 2030. However, he also said that while Taiwanese annual tourism spending is already over NT$1 trillion (US$32.3 billion), less than half is spent on domestic tourism. For that reason, Lai says domestic tourism should be strengthened, with the help of the Transportation Ministry.

Lai said, "The Transportation Ministry should also assist the domestic industry in participating in travel exhibitions in various countries. We welcome esteemed guests and good friends from all countries to come to Taiwan for tourism, so that Taiwan can use the tourism industry to make friends internationally and build friendships. Whether our people travel around the world or international friends come to Taiwan to travel, it is a very good opportunity to deepen friendship between countries and between peoples. We should strive in this direction. Establish the nation and make friends through tourism."

Lai said Taiwan can capitalize on tourism spots as international “calling cards” to promote Taiwan's brand internationally, collaborating with local governments on large-scale events to enhance quality and visibility. However, he notes that since accommodation operators now need to compete domestically and internationally, they should leverage Taiwan's national holidays and the recent policy change allowing the employment of foreign workers. He said the government will take the approach of every department being a tourism industry to help polish Taiwan's tourism brand.