Taiwan chalked up significant growth in the areas of transportation and tourism last year, according to the ROC Ministry of Transportation and Communications Feb. 7.
Passenger numbers on national and municipal rail services reached nearly 2.66 million per day, of which the Taipei and Kaohsiung Metro lines accounted for a record high of 1.97 million.
But Taiwan High Speed Rail chalked up the biggest number, posting a daily passenger total of 130,000.
Taiwan’s international commercial ports achieved 41.8 percent year-on-year growth in passenger numbers, reaching 992,000. Around 55.5 percent, some 550,000, were cruise line passengers, up 68.5 percent from 2012.
Regarding air transport, 48.82 million travelers passed through Taiwan’s airports last year, the highest figure since 1999. Rapid growth was also recorded by the 13 international low-cost airlines operating in Taiwan. The budget operators carried 2.32 million passengers last year, representing annual growth of 85.6 percent.
Taiwan’s tourism industry also experienced impressive results in 2013. According to MOTC statistics, 8.02 million tourists visited Taiwan, with 7.14 million from Asia. Mainland China, Japan, Hong Kong and Macau are top three sources for arrivals.
During the same period, 11.05 million ROC nationals traveled abroad—a record high and fourth year of consecutive growth.
It is estimated that Taiwan’s booming travel market generated NT$374.2 billion (US$12.31 billion) in foreign exchange over the past year, according to the MOTC. (YHC-JSM)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw