Many Taiwanese hospitality businesses are feeling the pinch of the continued absence of tourists from the Chinese mainland, with some yearning for the economic boost they provide.
Ximending, a tourist neighborhood in Taipei, is popular for its souvenir shops and local cuisine. Since the end of the pandemic, visitors have been flocking to the district again, although tourists from the Chinese mainland are mainly noticeable by their absence.
Jiang Lian Chun, a local tour guide, offers private day tours in his taxi. In the past, mainland holiday makers made up the majority of his customers.
"Chinese mainland tourists made up around 30 percent of all visitors from around the world," said Jiang.
Taiwan's tourism industry is rebounding from the pandemic slump, with about 7.8 million visitors in 2024, still far below the nearly 12 million visitors Taiwan welcomed in 2019.
Although Taiwan has seen a surge in visitors from places like South Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, these visitors haven't filled the void left by the mainland tourists and their spending power.
Retailers and restaurants alike are bearing the brunt. Souvenir shops selling Taiwan's famed pineapple tarts and other treats have taken a big hit.
"There are many souvenir shops in Ximending. Tourists from the Chinese mainland love to buy souvenirs and they buy a large quantity," said Liu Jinlong, of the Ximen Pedestrian District Development Association.
Earlier this year, China announced it would allow group tour services for residents of Fujian and Shanghai to Taiwan to resume, and many businesses here are hoping restrictions may be eased further.
Despite the positive signals on travel, cross-strait ties remain tense. There's no certainty yet that Chinese mainland visits will return to pre-pandemic levels, meaning businesses in Taiwan may struggle to fill the gap.
Taiwan businesses await return of mainland tourists
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
