Taiwan expects record cruise arrivals in 2026
An estimated 605 cruise ships are projected to bring 1.19 million visitors to Taiwan this year, while ports officials expand efforts to develop the sector.
Taiwan is forecast to receive a record 1.19 million cruise visitors aboard 605 ships in 2026. Taiwan International Ports Corporation said 332 ships carried 628,600 passengers to the country during the first half of the year. Reports also indicated that 20 cruise liners will make inaugural visits to Taiwan.
The ports corporation and its Keelung office established a cruise development department last month to support industry growth. Keelung handled 80% of the 567 cruise vessels that called in Taiwan last year, representing 993,000 visitors. The company estimated that the northern port’s visitor total could exceed one million this year.
Officials said Keelung is expected to remain Taiwan’s leading cruise destination, while Kaohsiung will serve as the main hub for the south. The ports corporation also plans to develop Taichung, Penghu and Hualien as ocean tourism destinations, according to reports.