Taipei Tourism Expo: Operators Expect 10-20% Sales Growth

(CNA, Taipei, May 19, by reporter Yo Hsiao-han) The 20th Taipei International Tourism Exposition (TTE) is set to open this week, with travel industry operators noting that overall market demand is stable this year and forecasting a 10 to 20 percent growth in sales. The growth momentum is driven by summer family travel and new long-haul flight routes stimulating purchasing interest. The 2026 Taipei International Tourism Exposition will be held from May 22 to 25 at the Taipei World Trade Center. Organizers state that the scale of this year's exhibition has been upgraded, bringing together various national tourism boards, airlines, county and city governments, travel agencies, cruise brands, and five-star hotels. Cola Tour stated that the overall travel market purchasing power is stable this year, predicting that the combined online and offline travel fair sales are expected to grow by 10 to 20 percent compared to last year. The main growth drivers are the continued popularity of Japanese and Korean products, the recovery of demand for long-haul routes, and an increased demand for themed travel products such as cruises, railways, and family tours. Additionally, the free independent traveler (FIT) market continues to expand, with a simultaneous increase in demand for products like flight-plus-hotel packages, accommodation bookings, and tickets. Lion Travel pointed out that it expects combined online and offline sales to grow by about 10 percent year-on-year. The growth momentum comes from strong demand for family travel during the summer vacation, new destinations and buzz surrounding long-haul routes, and an increased demand for in-depth experiences. EverFun Holiday stated that recent turmoil in the Middle East and fluctuating oil prices have impacted airfare, causing a 10% to 15% increase. Due to the international situation, there has been a significant rise in demand for direct flights when travelers plan long-haul trips to Europe and America, prioritizing travel safety and stability by reducing the risks of transfers and flight changes. Taiwan Tigerair noted that it will launch its brand-new one-stop service, "tigertel," for the first time at this travel fair, and will also create an immersive electronic cabin door.