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Taiwan Tourism Workshop 2025 Strengthens Travel Ties with Iloilo and Western Visayas
Iloilo City- The Taiwan Tourism Workshop 2025, held at the Grand Ballroom of Courtyard by Marriott in Iloilo City, gathered 18 Taiwanese travel and tour agencies to explore stronger tourism partnerships between Taiwan and the Philippines, particularly the Western Visayas region.
Led by Ms. Yi Teng Chen, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration Bangkok Office and Taiwan Tourism Information Center in Manila, the workshop showcased Taiwan’s latest travel offerings customized for the Philippine market. These included immersive cultural experiences, scenic destinations, and curated travel packages designed to attract more Filipino travelers.
A key highlight was the announcement that Taiwan’s visa-free entry for Filipino travelers has been extended until July 2026—a move that is expected to significantly boost outbound travel and encourage reciprocal visits.
During the event, DOT Region VI Regional Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez emphasized Iloilo’s position as a premier tourism hub in the Philippines—known for its accessibility, rich culinary heritage as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and thriving MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.
“The DOT Region VI is actively expanding our tourism offerings. Dive tourism remains a high-potential product in our region, and we are currently conducting an inventory of our ESL (English as a Second Language) schools—another emerging niche we see growing in importance among international markets, including Taiwan”, Director Rodriguez declared.
Director Rodriguez added, “We believe this workshop is a meaningful step forward. Through collaborative exchanges like this, we build bridges that go beyond tourism—we strengthen friendship, cultural understanding, and economic partnerships”.
Director Rodriguez expressed optimism about the possibility of establishing direct flights between Taiwan and Iloilo, noting that such a development would significantly enhance connectivity and foster deeper tourism collaboration. At present, Iloilo enjoys direct access to 12 domestic destinations and three key international hubs—Singapore, Hong Kong, and Don Mueang (Thailand).
