TripAdvisor’s first ever ‘trendcast’, released on January 31, reveals a number of interesting shifts in tourist preferences, several of which closely align with Taiwan’s strengths as a destination and augur well for the island’s efforts to attract a greater number of visitors.
As of February 2025 Life of Taiwan enjoys a 5.0 out of 5.0 score on TripAdvisor. Of the 113 reviews, 106 rate us ‘excellent’ while another 5 describe our services as ‘very good’.
A field of edible daylilies in East Taiwan
To compile the TripAdvisor Trendcast 2025, the Massachusetts-based company scoured the forums and reviews pages it manages, tallying increases in bookings, clicks, and page views so as to track recent major shifts. To gain a fuller and more accurate picture of future travel trends, they also looked at globetrotters’ behaviour beyond the Tripadvisor site. The emerging trends this reveals present exciting opportunities to engage the kind of well-travelled, thoughtful explorer that Life of Taiwan exists to serve.
Getting into hot water
The first category is ‘Waterculturalism’, with TripAdvisor claiming that ‘travelers are seeking deeper connections with water, moving beyond simple relaxation to explore its cultural and adventurous aspects’. Taiwan is of course an island, and locations like Kenting National Park, Little Liuqiu, and Dapeng Bay (all three are in Pingtung County) offer a wide array of watersports. Penghu County is said to be one of the best places in the world for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
As far as the Taiwanese themselves are concerned, the island’s numerous hot springs are an even greater attraction than its coastline. If you want to enjoy a serenely therapeutic soak in geothermal waters, there’s no need to leave Taipei, the capital. Xinbeitou has several options, with some historic establishments dating from the 1895-1945 period of Japanese colonial rule.
Next comes ‘Play it Forward’. Some people devote their travels to visiting museums and imbibing culture; others just want to have fun! If you’re in the mood for something that’s mentally untaxing and a real blast, try some night-market games in between sampling the delicious snacks on offer. These entertainments include: throwing darts (or firing a pellet gun) at water-filled balloons; ring tossing; and pinball-type devices. With a bit of skill and luck, you might go home with a cuddly toy.
If you fancy doing something more creative, sign up for a DIY experience which’ll engage both hands and brain. Several Life of Taiwan clients have enjoyed the cookery classes we’ve arranged for them; these begin with buying ingredients at a traditional market, and end with feasting on the dishes you’ve just learned to prepare. Outdoors types might prefer a hunters’ school in Taitung, where you can learn food gathering and fieldcraft from indigenous people. If you’re a fan of Taiwan’s exquisite teas, we can set you up with a tea master in the hills near Alishan.
A city for those who don’t sleep
Another section of the trendcast looks at ‘Time Tripping’, in which travellers make the very most of their precious days off by choosing destinations with a 24/7 personality. Taipei is perfect for such people. In addition to the pubs and clubs you’d expect to find in an international city of business, Taiwan’s capital has one of the world’s few 24-hour bookshops, as well as night markets that go on well past midnight. It’s an hour before dawn and you can’t sleep? Head to Longshan Temple or another shrine and watch people offer incense before going to work. Or put your walking shoes on and hike up Thumb Mountain (320 m / 1,050 ft above sea level) or to an even higher spot within Yangmingshan National Park.
Healthy indigenous food in Taitung County
‘Investigative Eating’ — to use TripAdvisor’s catchy term — is something Life of Taiwan clients have been loving since we began offering bespoke tours in 2012. The island is awash with authentic culinary experiences, from Taiwanese homecooking to styles of fine-dining introduced from the Chinese mainland to the hearty delights of indigenous cuisine. As local consumers have become more health conscious and environmentally aware, demand for organic and/or sustainable produce has soared. On top of old Buddhist-influenced vegetarian traditions, Taiwan is now one of Asia’s most vegan-friendly societies.
On foot, by train, by oneself
One of the survey’s most interesting categories is ‘Nano Neighbourhoods’ — urban areas which tourists can explore in a more focused manner, moving at a slower pace and delving deeper into local culture and character. Tainan’s relic-packed West-Central District lends itself to this kind of vacation, as does the historic town of Lukang. In Taipei, Dadaocheng and Wanhua are both districts in which a person willing to wander on foot through back-streets will find fascinating little businesses, beguiling shrines, and 200-year-old houses in the shadow of swanky apartment buildings.
Under the heading ‘Slow Going’, TripAdvisor claims that since 2022, bookings for train-related travel have shot up by 143 percent. Taiwan offers train enthusiasts a number of captivating experiences, with the remarkable and deservedly famous Alishan Forest Railway at the top of the list. For visitors who’d rather not drive (or who don’t wish to use one of our driver-guides) the branch lines to Neiwan and Jiji are also fun ways to access the island’s hilly interior.
In what’s perhaps a reaction to the isolation many felt during and after the pandemic, TripAdvisor’s research suggests that ‘Solo-Social’ is an emerging form of travel, in which people taking holidays on their own do so with every intention of meeting new people and making friends. ‘We’re getting smarter about mixing me-time with we-time’ the Trendcast asserts — and it may be true. One thing’s for sure: Because so many Taiwanese grab dinner during the journey home, nobody is likely to cast a disapproving or pitying eye towards the tourist eating by him/herself. What’s more, they’re exceptionally warm and hospitable, and always interested in chatting with people from other parts of the world. Whether you’re soaking in a hot-spring pool, hiking along a forest trail, or browsing in a shop, you’ll find yourself drifting into conversation from which you can learn a great deal.
Book your Taiwan tour today
Drawing on our extensive experience creating and leading both general and niche-interest tours, we’re able to craft itineraries which satisfy the most discerning travellers. Contact us today, let us know what you find interesting and your priorities, and we’ll devise a schedule that’s as action-packed or as laid-back as you want. We look forward to hearing from you!