Industry stakeholders at a recent Taiwan Tourism Administration Roadshow in New Delhi revealed that direct flights connecting New Delhi to Taiwan are shifting market dynamics, helping forecast a significant growth in tourist arrivals over the next year.
For years, Indian travel agents faced resistance promoting Taiwan due to inconvenient transit routes through Southeast Asia that stretched journey times up to 10 or 12 hours. With direct flights cutting travel duration down to just around seven hours, local DMCs and trade partners report renewed confidence across the Indian travel ecosystem.
Angus Tsai, Director of Sales, Oasis Global Destinations Management and VP, Top Holidays, emphasised that while Indian tourists who visited Taiwan in the past gave overwhelmingly positive feedback, growth was historically hampered by a lack of targeted marketing. With seamless flight options now available, Tsai noted that the goal is to convert Taiwan into a top-of-mind holiday spot for Indian families and frequent travellers who vacation multiple times a year.
Travel leaders also highlighted a distinct shift in consumer perception. Ameet N. Deodhar, Director, ATD Representations, who represented Good Time Vacations at the roadshow, observed that Indian travellers are no longer confused about Taiwan’s identity or visa status. Instead, clients are conducting independent research and requesting tailored itineraries featuring Taiwan’s High-Speed Rail, extended cherry blossom seasons, vibrant nightlife, and local Indian dining options. Deodhar compared this trajectory to Japan’s rapid surge in popularity among Indian tourists in recent years.
Addressing B2B interest, Veni Gupta, Representative at TravClan & StarDream Cruises, shared that travel agents across Delhi are actively seeking fresh destinations to offer cost-conscious leisure travellers. B2B platforms are making it seamless for travel trade partners to book comprehensive packages, combining flights, hotels, land transportation, and cruises in a single ecosystem.
Industry veterans stress that hands-on familiarisation will be critical to sustain this momentum. Emily Chiu, Inbound Director, Apple Travel Service with two decades of experience working in the Indian market, urged travel agents to visit Taiwan personally to experience its safety, hospitality, and attractions firsthand, rather than relying solely on promotional videos. As educational campaigns gain traction, DMCs expect growing query volumes to convert into steady booking growth.
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