Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center downgraded COVID-19 from a Category 5 to Category 4 communicable disease on May 1. With travel restrictions now lifted and a fast-approaching summer, the tourism industry is expecting a recovery back to the pre-pandemic normal. 

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A recent survey conducted by travel agencies revealed the top five destinations for international tourists in Taiwan. Coming in first is Taipei 101, followed by the National Palace Museum, Jiufen, Taroko Gorge, and Alishan. 

Taipei 101 was once the tallest building in the world. Even though it was dethroned by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2009, the building still manages to capture the hearts of international tourists. A Japanese tourist says he was in awe of the building when he saw it for the first time. 

A travel agent says businesses generated by international tourists have recovered by around 40% since the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

A breakdown of Taiwan’s inbound visitors by country reveals the majority of them come from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, and Malaysia. 

A tourism bureau official says visiting Taiwan is more convenient now, and the bureau expects up to two million visitors in the second half of May. He adds that the bureau is hopeful the number of visitors this year will recover to half of pre-pandemic figures. Whichever attraction people may find themselves visiting, they can be certain that they won’t be the only one!