Taiwan’s Tourism Administration has announced plans to permit migrant workers to enter the hospitality sector in the second half of 2025.
This move aims to address ongoing labour shortages in hotels and related services, while maintaining a priority on hiring local staff.
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The announcement follows recent discussions about workforce challenges faced by the country’s tourism industry.
Labour shortages in Taiwan’s hospitality industry
Taiwan’s hospitality sector continues to struggle with a shortage of around 8,000 workers, a problem highlighted by the Ministry of Labour.
Most of the deficit affects housekeeping and cleaning roles, which account for approximately 5,500 positions, with the remainder involving front-of-house and reception staff.
The shortages have been linked to demanding workloads and comparatively low wages, factors that discourage local employment in these roles.
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By GlobalDataTo ensure service quality and communication, migrant workers entering the hospitality sector will be required to have basic proficiency in English or Mandarin.
The Tourism Administration is coordinating with the Ministry of Labour and the Taiwan Hotel Association to determine the precise number of migrant workers to be permitted, with official details expected to be announced once agreements are finalised.
Trends in Taiwan’s tourism recovery and hotel industry
The hospitality sector in Taiwan has seen a notable recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the industry generated NT$180 billion (US$5.3 billion) in revenue, marking a 40% increase compared to pandemic years.
Visitor numbers also rose significantly, with nearly 7.86 million tourists recorded in 2024 and 3.5 million arriving during the first four months of 2025. Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai aims for total tourist arrivals to reach 10 million by the end of the year.
Despite the rise in tourism, the number of traditional tourist hotels has declined by 6.8% since 2018, now standing at 382 establishments.
Regular hotels saw a smaller drop of 1.4%, with 3,812 reported. Meanwhile, bed-and-breakfast accommodations have expanded strongly, increasing by 62% to nearly 7,000 locations, reflecting changing consumer preferences and lodging trends.
Future plans for tourism and industry recovery
The Tourism Administration plans to launch a travel industry recovery programme by August 2025. This initiative is expected to support travel agencies and other stakeholders in the sector.
Minister Chen emphasised the potential to diversify Taiwan’s tourism appeal by integrating attractions like Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake with other sectors such as medical aesthetics. This strategy aims to offer unique travel experiences and encourage higher visitor spending.
By allowing migrant workers to support the hospitality workforce, Taiwan is addressing critical labour gaps while fostering the continued growth of its tourism industry.
Further details regarding employment numbers and regulatory measures will be announced once final consultations are completed.
