Southeast Asian Countries Become Hotspots After Border Control Lifted 禁團令取消 國內旅遊團首發東南亞

Taiwan officially reopened the borders on Oct. 13. International tourists arrived for visits, and local tour groups also departed to travel abroad. 

This couple is very excited to be able to finally go on their honeymoon. They have made all the preparations to travel abroad during a pandemic, including stocking up on rapid tests, Chingguan Yihau, and vitamins.

Ms. Jan, Honeymooner: “We postponed our wedding by one year because of the pandemic. We finally got married last Saturday, and we're leaving for our honeymoon today. I'm most looking forward to eating tom yum goong and going to the beach.”

Mr. Huang, Honeymooner: “I'm really excited to travel abroad with my wife for the first time. This is our first time going abroad together. (Yes, the first time we're traveling for fun.) They finally opened the borders and lifted the quarantine requirement.”

Many people chose to get out of Taiwan on the day that the borders reopened. Some said they do have concerns about the epidemic situation in other places, so they chose to go to nearby countries and with tour groups so that they would have a tour group leader to look after them.

Liao Shu-hsuan, Tour Group Leader: “I'm finally taking a group to Thailand after two and a half years. (This is your first post-pandemic group, is there any added psychological pressure? A lot of pressure?) There are some, but Thailand is a country that I know very well.”

Huang Hsin-chuan, Travel Agent: “About 30 to 40 percent of the air routes have been reinstated. I think the entire market and our current situation will only reach 30 to 40 percent of the previous peak period.”

Travel agencies say they expect both inbound and outbound tourism to surge once the arrivals cap is lifted and flights resume. During the past two weeks, about 5,000 to 6,000 people signed up to join tours. Fifty percent are heading to east and north Asia, 30 percent to Europe, and 20 percent to other Asian countries. Another surge is predicted for next year's 10-day Lunar New Year holiday. Meanwhile, 2,000 travelers arrived in Taiwan between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. They were processed smoothly at the airport. Taxi operations were also smooth, but those wanting to take the metro had to wait until it opened at 6 a.m.

Fan Hsiao-lun, CEO, Taoyuan International Airport Corp.: “Everything went smoothly, including the distribution of rapid tests, immigration inspections, and customs.”

(Taoyuan International Airport MRT) should open earlier. It should conform to flight arrival times. That will make things more convenient for travelers from abroad. Taoyuan International Airport Corporation said there are many transport options for inbound travelers, and there has also been a surge in family and friends picking up and dropping off passengers. It added that adjustments to public transport are needed to reflect flight arrival times.

捧著鮮花，來個愛的親親，新人終於等到跟團出國度蜜月，內心充滿期待，但為了疫情也是做足準備，快篩試劑、清冠一號及維他命全帶齊。

新婚旅客冉小姐說：「因為疫情延後了一年結婚，好不容易在上禮拜六結婚了，今天當然是要去度蜜月啦，最期待就是去吃冬央貢，還有去海邊玩。」

新婚旅客黃先生說：「很開心，第一次跟太太有機會出國旅遊，算是我們第一次出國，終於等到解封了，不用隔離。」

許多旅客直呼幸運，開心搶在國境解封首日，跟著首發團出國旅遊。有旅客表示，台灣才剛解封，對國外疫情還是有些小小擔心，選擇到鄰近國家，加上跟團有導遊領隊照顧，比較安心。

旅遊領隊廖書萱說：「事隔2年半終於可以帶團去泰國了，多多少少還是會有一些心理壓力，但是泰國畢竟還是我熟悉的國家。」

旅行社業者黃信川指出：「我們看到航線大概恢復30至40%，我們認為整個市場跟我們現在的樣態，只能達到最巔峰也只能達到30、40%。」

旅行社表示，未來入境總人數管制解除和航班逐步恢復後，入出境旅遊都有機會迎來爆發性成長。也分析從最近2週，5、6000名消費者報名，50%往東北亞、30%往歐洲、20%其他亞洲國家，預估明年春節10天連假，會是另一波出國高峰。而國境解封首日，早上4時到7時這個尖峰時段，大約2000名旅客入境，動線順暢，排班計程車運作順利，許多要搭捷運的旅客苦等，6時才開。

桃園機場公司總經理范孝倫表示：「發放快篩劑啦，包含入境的查驗等等海關，都是一路順暢。」

旅客說：「（機捷）應該要提早一點，因為要配合飛機的到達時間嘛，旅客尤其從國外進來，就會比較方便。」

機場公司表示，國門開放，旅客也多了各種運具的選擇，親友接送比例提高不少，也說到大眾運輸應該調整運作，配合班機抵達時間。