(NEWS) SINGAPORE, 2026-Aug-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Taiwan is seeing a clear rise in interest from Filipino travellers, with new Agoda search data pointing to the Philippines as Southeast Asia’s leading source market for Taiwan travel interest in 2026.
According to details released by Agoda, accommodation searches made in the first half of the year show that the Philippines remains the number one Southeast Asian market showing travel interest in Taiwan. The platform also reported a 46% year-on-year increase in searches from the Philippines, making it the fastest-growing Southeast Asian source market for Taiwan on Agoda.
The trend is also reflected in official visitor figures. Statistics from Taiwan’s Tourism Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications show that arrivals from the Philippines exceeded 210,000 in the first quarter of 2026, representing 43% year-on-year growth.
For Filipino travellers, Taiwan’s appeal is easy to understand. It is close enough for short breaks, varied enough for repeat visits and rich in the kind of food, culture, neighbourhood life and scenic landscapes that suit both first-time travellers and those looking to explore more slowly.
Taipei remains the most searched destination in Taiwan among Southeast Asian travellers. The capital continues to offer the familiar starting point: night markets, shopping districts, temples, museums, easy transport and a strong food culture that makes it especially accessible for visitors arriving for a few days.
But Agoda’s data also suggests that travel interest is spreading beyond the Greater Taipei area. Kaohsiung ranked second among the most-searched Taiwan destinations for Southeast Asian travellers, followed by Taichung, Taoyuan and Yilan.
Kaohsiung is emerging as one of the strongest stories in the data. Agoda reported a 65% increase in searches for the southern city from Southeast Asian travellers, making it Taiwan’s fastest-growing destination among this group. From the Philippines specifically, travel interest in Kaohsiung has more than tripled compared with last year.
The city’s rise reflects a broader shift in how travellers are looking at Taiwan. Once mainly seen as a port city, Kaohsiung is increasingly being noticed for its harbour views, food scene, public transport, exhibitions, concerts and large-scale events. That mix gives visitors a reason to extend itineraries south rather than limiting a trip to Taipei.
The growth also points to the influence of what is often described as the concert economy, where live events and entertainment help draw travellers to destinations they may not otherwise have placed at the centre of their trip. For regional travellers, especially younger visitors and groups of friends, concerts can become the anchor around which a wider city break is planned.
Across Southeast Asia more broadly, Agoda’s search data shows rising interest in Taiwan’s nature-led and regional destinations. Green Island saw searches increase by 56%, followed by Pingtung at 49%, Changhua at 22% and Matsu at 20%. These destinations suggest growing curiosity about offshore islands, coastal scenery, ecology and local exploration beyond Taiwan’s major cities.
Filipino travellers, however, appear to be showing a particularly strong interest in places that combine culture, food, heritage and a slower pace of travel. Beyond Kaohsiung, Agoda found that searches from the Philippines rose sharply for the Kinmen Islands and Pingtung, increasing by 203% and 202% respectively.
Other Taiwanese destinations also saw strong growth from Filipino travellers. Searches for Tainan increased by 135%, while Chiayi grew by 87%. These places offer a different view of Taiwan, shaped by historic streets, local cuisine, distinctive architecture, natural landscapes and a more relaxed atmosphere.
That matters because it suggests Filipino travellers are not only looking for quick city breaks. Many are beginning to explore Taiwan through culture, gastronomy and local character, choosing destinations where the pace allows more time to wander, taste, observe and connect.
Jishan Chai, Country Director for Taiwan at Agoda, said the platform is seeing growing interest from Southeast Asian travellers, especially from the Philippines, who are looking to explore Taiwan’s wider range of destinations. While Taipei remains a favourite, he noted that more travellers are showing interest in regional places such as Kaohsiung.
The trend comes as travel links between Taiwan and Southeast Asia continue to support easier movement across the region. For Filipino travellers, Taiwan offers a compelling combination: a nearby international destination with familiar access, distinct culture, strong food appeal and enough variety to make repeat visits worthwhile.
For Taiwan, the message from Agoda’s data is equally important. Filipino travellers are not only arriving in larger numbers; they are also showing curiosity about more of the island. From Taipei’s urban energy to Kaohsiung’s harbourfront growth, from Tainan’s heritage to Kinmen’s island character, the search patterns suggest a travel relationship that is becoming broader, more confident and more experience-led.
Agoda says travellers can browse more than 300,000 experiences, along with over 6 million holiday properties and more than 130,000 flight routes, through its website and mobile app.
For the 2026 travel season, Taiwan’s appeal to Filipino travellers appears to be moving beyond the obvious. The interest is no longer only about seeing the capital, but about discovering different sides of the island — one city, coast, island and slow-travel stop at a time.
