[Finance] Indonesian Tourists Continue to Increase; Taiwan Promotes Muslim-Friendly Tourism to Enhance Attractiveness

Indonesian tourist arrivals to Taiwan continue to grow. Lin Wen-chun, Director of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Surabaya, stated that as of this year, approximately 220,000 Indonesians have visited Taiwan, an increase of about 9% compared to the same period last year, indicating a continuous recovery in the Indonesian outbound tourism market to Taiwan. To expand the Indonesian tourism market, the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, commissioned by the Taiwan Visitors Association, organized a Taiwan tourism promotion event in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, on the 12th. The event invited local tourism operators and media representatives, hoping to deepen their understanding of Taiwan as a travel destination through industry exchanges and media coverage. Shift from Work and Business to Tourism: Increase in Indonesian Tourists According to statistics from the Tourism Administration, in 2025, Indonesian visitors to Taiwan reached 235,148, a 4.75% increase from 2024. The overall outbound tourism market in Indonesia is also recovering, with 9,165,894 outbound tourists in 2025, a 2.39% increase from 2024. Lin Wen-chun told CNA in an interview that in recent years, the impression of Taiwan among Indonesians has gradually shifted from work and business to family travel. He pointed out that Taiwan's social environment and prices are relatively stable, and Indonesian mainstream media generally consider Taiwan a cost-effective travel destination, driving the growth in tourism to Taiwan. Muslim-Friendly Travel and More Convenient Visas to Taiwan Chou Shih-pi, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Service Center in Jakarta, stated in his speech that creating a Muslim-friendly tourism environment is a crucial task for Taiwan in expanding its Indonesian tourism market. Taiwan will continue to increase the number of Halal-certified restaurants, Muslim-friendly hotels, and prayer facilities to enhance the convenience for Muslim travelers visiting Taiwan. With the increasing number of Indonesian tourists to Taiwan, visa fees and convenience measures have also garnered attention. Lin Wen-chun, Director of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Surabaya, noted that the general visa fee for stays in Taiwan remains at US$50 (approximately NT$1,613). Recent adjustments to application fees priced in Indonesian Rupiah mainly reflect exchange rate fluctuations and have a limited impact on the overall travel cost compared to airfare, accommodation, and other travel expenses to Taiwan. He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Administration are collaborating on the "Guang Hong Project," which allows eligible group travelers from Indonesia to shorten their application time through group visa convenience measures. Eligible Indonesian citizens can also apply online for a Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC), making travel to Taiwan more convenient. The Taiwan tourism promotion activities are scheduled to move to the Lippo Mall Puri in Jakarta from the 14th to the 16th for a Taiwan travel fair. While the Surabaya event focused on industry exchanges and cooperation, the Jakarta event targets general consumers. Through Taiwan-themed exhibition areas, interactive activities, and travel information displays, it aims to engage local residents and further expand Taiwan's tourism market. (Editor: Liu Hsiang-hua)