Core Insights - The tourism industry in Taiwan is experiencing a significant decline in demand, particularly due to the sharp decrease in visitors from mainland China [1][2] - Industry professionals are urging the Taiwanese government to reopen borders to mainland tourists to revive market demand and support the tourism sector [1][2] Group 1: Tourism Demand Decline - Visitor numbers to Alishan, a major tourist attraction, have plummeted from over 2.7 million in 2014 and 2015 to less than 900,000 last year, with July and August this year seeing even lower figures compared to the same months last year [1] - The overall number of tourists to Taiwan in the first half of this year was 4.19 million, which is only about 70% of the levels seen in the same period of 2019, indicating a significant gap compared to global tourism recovery [2] Group 2: Impact on Local Businesses - Local businesses, including tea shops and restaurants in tourist areas like Alishan, are reporting drastic reductions in sales and foot traffic, with some businesses seeing income drop by several tens of percent [2] - The absence of mainland tourists has led to a noticeable decline in activity at popular sites across Taiwan, such as Sun Moon Lake and Gaomei Wetlands, where previously crowded conditions have turned sparse [2] Group 3: Regional Tourism Highlights - In contrast, tourism in Kinmen has shown positive signs, with the resumption of mainland tourist visits leading to increased foot traffic in local attractions during the recent holiday period [3] - The "small three links" between Kinmen and mainland China have seen stable growth, with over one million visitors recorded by the end of July this year, suggesting a potential recovery in this specific region [3]

Core Points - The 2025 Dongguan Taiwan Products Expo will take place from September 11 to 14, 2025, at the Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center, featuring a record exhibition area of 33,000 square meters and 671 participating companies [1][4] - The theme of the expo is "Strong Chain Integration, Intelligent Creation of the Future," aiming to enhance the integration of Taiwanese businesses into the new development landscape [4] - The expo will introduce the "Asian Taiwanese Business Theme Pavilion" for the first time, inviting Taiwanese enterprises from over ten countries and regions, including India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, to participate [4] Exhibition Highlights - The exhibition area has expanded from the originally planned 32,000 square meters to 33,000 square meters, featuring eight major theme pavilions and 25 provincial and municipal pavilions [4] - A total of 1,881 exhibition booths will be set up, marking the largest scale in the history of the expo [1][4] - The event will showcase 122 exhibitors from 22 counties and cities in Taiwan, emphasizing local specialties through the "Island New Flavor" section [4] Cultural and Interactive Elements - The expo will incorporate local cultural elements and interactive experiences, including a "Treasure Island Style Corridor" featuring iconic Taiwanese foods and cultural experiences [8] - Four major themed days will be introduced, focusing on cultural collaboration, intelligent manufacturing aesthetics, trendy Dongguan, and integrated celebrations [5] - The event aims to create a large-scale exchange platform that combines commerce, culture, emotion, and interaction [5] Community Engagement - The expo will feature various activities to enhance citizen interaction and experience, including performances, themed routes for exploration, and a lucky draw with prizes [11] - Daily performances will showcase a blend of Lingnan folk customs, Taiwanese dance, and non-heritage skills, providing a dual experience of culture and emotion [11] - The event will also promote youth innovation exchanges through the "Taiwan Youth Come to Dongguan" theme sharing and city visit activities [5][11] Recommended Routes - The organizing committee has recommended multiple routes for visitors, highlighting key areas such as the "Treasure Island Style Corridor" and various industry pavilions [14] - Visitors can explore the strengths and characteristics of Taiwanese enterprises in different industries by visiting town and street pavilions [14] - The food area will feature 12 catering brands offering popular Taiwanese dishes, concluding the exhibition experience on a flavorful note [14]