Rising Costs and Optimistic Growth: Insights from the ITF Taipei International Travel Show

2023-11-04 08:01:45

The tourism market has taken off following the epidemic. On the first day of the ITF Taipei International Travel Show, both popularity and sales were booming. Travel agency executives are also optimistic regarding operational growth next year. Lion General Manager Lai Yiqing said that it will be difficult for the tourism market in the future to go back to the past prices. This comes from the exchange rate and oil prices. Waiting for costs to rise; Bian Jiemin, general manager of Phoenix, said that the overall supply of seats will be reduced, and the increase in group fees will be more obvious in peak seasons.

The ITF Taipei International Travel Fair was launched at the Nangang Exhibition Center on the 3rd. This year, there were more than 1,300 booths, attracting many people to visit. (Central News Agency)

The ITF Taipei International Travel Fair was held at the Nangang Exhibition Center from the 3rd to the 6th. Today falls on the weekend during the exhibition period. The number of people visiting the travel show was obviously greater than before. There were queues at many stalls. Consumers reported that the queue time was very long. It was much longer than last year, and many travel agencies also released performance targets and prospects for next year at the exhibition.

Lion Travel Agency said that due to the increase in demand for overseas travel and the improvement of passenger confidence, the first-day performance of the travel exhibition was 20% better than the first day of 2019. It is optimistic that the overall performance of this year’s online and offline travel exhibitions can challenge double growth. Lai Yiqing said in an interview, “I’m afraid the future tourism market will not go back to the past prices.” Lunar New Year products have been put on the shelves. Indeed, the prices of New Year tours in 2024 have increased due to the increase in the U.S. dollar exchange rate and many expenses, such as oil prices. , driving up ticket taxes and bus transportation costs, but the increase should still be acceptable to consumers.

Lai Yiqing pointed out that most of the areas with price increases following the epidemic are in Japan, because Japan has more restrictions on bus use and has adjusted fares, while Europe also has many changes in bus prices and local hotel component prices due to exchange rate issues. Overall, tour fees in some areas have increased by up to 20% to 30%, while others have stayed the same.

Lion is also optimistic that Southeast Asian products such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Da Nang are very popular, and the topic of South Korean tourism is also very strong. In addition, since Thailand’s visa-free travel will be on the road, driving demand to explode, will there be any benefit from price increases in the future? She said that in the future, going to Thailand will be a matter of time, and you can get on the plane with your passport.

Bian Jiemin, general manager of Phoenix Tourism, pointed out that in response to the trend of high ticket prices and rising costs, group fares will indeed increase accordingly, and will be more obvious during peak seasons. However, if it is not a short-term fluctuation, travel agencies can adjust and respond. As the independent travel market continues to recover and the supply of group seats is reduced, Phoenix Travel will still have charter flights to Japan for cherry blossom and maple viewing next year, and there will also be two charter flights to Guam during the New Year; the European route will cooperate with Evergreen on new destinations. Increase the sales of more seats, and the cruise market sales are very good. For example, the Antarctic cruise package at the end of 2024, combined with high-end tourism products, currently sells more than 50%, and the target is to be sold out in the first quarter of next year. European river cruise products are The sales have been completed; overall, we are positive regarding next year’s operation and expect it to grow by 10% to 20% compared to this year’s operation.

Is the tourism industry facing a job shortage? Bian Jiemin said that the tourism industry does not have a large demand for labor unlike the hotel industry. Travel agencies take orders electronically and allow waiting time, so the manpower does not need to be so intensive. There is actually no shortage of talents in Team Phoenix, but the manpower at the sales end of the business is currently regarding Back to the 70% or 80% level, we are now continuing to increase our staff and continue to tap talents through construction and education cooperation.

Chen Guosen, chairman of Shanfu Tourism, said that he is optimistic regarding the future tourism industry. He even predicts that “there will be no problem for 15 years.” His attitude is very optimistic.

(Editor-in-Chief: Zhuang Qianyu)

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