Cheese Report Jun 2025

● Key Economic Indicators of Taiwan (Data released before July 10, 2025)

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• In June 2025, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.14% compared to the previous month. After seasonal adjustment, it rose by 0.01%. Compared to the same month in 2024, it rose by 1.37%. On average, from January to June, the CPI increased by 1.93% compared to the same period last year.
  The Producer Price Index (PPI) in June decreased by 1.03% compared to the previous month and dropped by 5.47% compared to the same month last year. On average, from January to June, the PPI increased by 0.27% compared to the same period last year.
• The number of employed persons in May was 11.611 million, an increase of 6,000 (0.05%) compared to the previous month. The number of unemployed persons was 396,000, a decrease of 3,000 (-0.72%) compared to the previous month. In May, the number of people not in the labor force was 8.242 million, a decrease of 7,000 (or 0.09%) compared to the previous month. The labor force participation rate in May was 59.30%, and increase of 0.03 percentage points from the previous month. The unemployment rate in May was 3.30%, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.34%, both down by 0.02 percentage points from the previous month.
• In April 2025, the average regular earnings of all employed persons (including full-time and part-time employees of both domestic and foreign nationality) was NT$47,807, representing a monthly increase of 0.58% and an annual increase of 3.22%. Non-regular earnings, including bonuses and overtime pay, averaged NT$7,739, bringing the total average earnings to NT$55,546, a monthly increase of 0.84% and an annual increase of 3.30%. The median regular earnings stood at NT$38,208, showing a monthly increase of 0.24% and an annual increase of 3.05%.

Source: National Statistics, Republic of China (Taiwan)

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● Statistics on Republic of China Nationals Traveling Abroad

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Source: Ministry of the Interior, Immigration Office (Republic of China)
Note: The outbound travel data for Republic of China nationals is based on the principle of counting the first destination reached by flight. Additionally, factors such as irregular chartered flight itineraries are included. Therefore, for the actual data on Taiwanese nationals traveling to specific countries, please refer to the official inbound statistics published by each destination country.

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● Passenger Numbers of Cruise Ships at International Commercial Ports in the Taiwan Region

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ource: Taiwan International Ports Corporation, compiled
based on passenger entry and exit numbers reported by each port branch company

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 ● International Cruise Companies and Cruise Ships Stationed in Taiwan in 2025

Affiliated Cruise Companies	Cruise Ships Operating in Taiwan	Tonnage	Passenger Capacity	Home Port in Taiwan
Costa Cruises	Costa Serena	114,500	3,780	Keelung Port/Kaohsiung Port
MSC Cruises	MSC Bellissima	172,000	5,686	Keelung Port
Norwegian Cruise Line	Norwegian Spirit	75,338	2,018	Keelung Port
Star Cruises	Star Navigator	75,338	1,856	Keelung Port

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Analysis of Online Buzz Around South Korea’s Four Most Popular Travel Cities

Online Buzz Analysis of the Four Most Popular Tourist Attractions in South Korea

● Overview

Observation Period: June 01, 2024 – May 31, 2025
Sources: Discussion forums, social media, news, blogs
Note: This online insight analysis is based on data from the OpView Social Media Database and reflects the number of online discussions related to the “four most popular cities in South Korea.”

According to statistics from the OpView social media opinion database, Seoul firmly holds the top spot among popular South Korean travel destinations, accounting for 48.2% of online mentions. With over 320,000 related mentions during the observation period –nearly half of the total volume –Seoul remains the most-discussed city in Korea travel conversations. As the nation’s capital and a cultural and trendsetting hub, it continues to be the top choice for Taiwanese travelers planning a trip to South Korea. Whether it’s visiting K-drama filming locations, supporting favorite celebrities, or indulging in shopping, beauty, and food experiences, Seoul fulfills almost every travel desire, maintaining its high popularity across online communities for years.

Coming in second is Busan with 30.9% of mentions, totaling over 200,000 mentions. As a port city known for its ocean views, seafood, and the Busan International Film Festival, Busan holds undeniable appeal in travel discussions. While its online buzz is not as overwhelming as Seoul’s, it still captures over 30% of the share. Many influencers and independent travelers share Busan’s unique charm online, making it a popular “second visit” option for those who have already been to Seoul.

In contrast, Jeju Island and Daegu account for only 13.2% and 7.7% of the mentions respectively –roughly one-tenth and less than one-tenth of the total. Jeju, while known for its natural beauty, presents higher travel barriers for independent travelers due to limited direct flights and relatively inconvenient transportation on the island. Daegu, on the other hand, has seen noticeable visitor growth in recent years thanks to the increase in direct flights. It’s emerging as a new option for travelers looking to explore beyond South Korea’s capital region. However, based on online mentions, overall discussion about Daegu remains limited, indicating that its popularity and recognition as a tourist destination still have room to grow.

● Insights on Sources of Online Mentions

• Social media:
  Social media is by far the dominant source of online mentions, accounting for over 79% of the volume across all four cities. Jeju Island (90.0%) and Daegu (89.9%) had the highest concentration of mentions from social platforms, followed by Busan (85.3%) and Seoul (79.5%). Among them, short videos on Instagram Reels featuring budget-friendly accommodations in Seoul’s Myeong-dong sparked widespread discussion. Popular posts mainly revolved around travel tips, covering topics such as lodging, transportation, beauty products, and promotional deals. YouTube videos also drove significant buzz –for instance, a video by YouTuber “見習網美小吳” about a NT$10,000 shopping spree in Busan amassed 520,000 views and over 9,700 comments.
• News media:
  Seoul had the highest share of news-based mentions at 15.0%, significantly higher than Busan (8.6%), Jeju Island (7.1%), and Daegu (6.4%). This reflects Seoul’s status as the capital and a major tourism hub, leading to stronger media exposure. Related news topics include travel policies, seasonal events (such as cherry blossoms or snowy landscapes), major performances, and K-pop idol activities –all contributing to increased media visibility.
• Forum:
  Forum mentions were relatively evenly distributed among the four cities, with Busan slightly leading at 4.8%. These posts mostly appear on platforms like PTT and Dcard, where users share practical travel advice, ask questions about itineraries and transportation, or offer accommodation recommendations. This category is generally more function-oriented and question-driven.
• Blogs:
  Mentions from blogs were the lowest overall, with Daegu leading at 1.6%, followed by Busan (1.3%), and Seoul and Jeju Island both at 1.0%. With the rise of short-form, real-time social media content, long-form blog posts have declined in prominence. However, for lesser-known or logistically complex destinations like Daegu, blogs still maintain a niche but meaningful presence in online travel discussions.

● Sentiment Analysis of Online Discussions

• Seoul, as the capital and the most iconic tourist city in South Korea, had the highest volume of online mentions among the four cities. According to the data, it received 93,616 positive mentions and 18,601 negative mentions, resulting in a positive-to-negative sentiment ratio of 5.03, indicating an overall positive tone. Netizens praised Seoul for its shopping, cuisine, K-culture, and convenient transportation.
  
  
• Busan demonstrated the most favorable online sentiment, with 70,681 positive mentions and only 11,636 negative mentions, giving it the highest positive-to-negative ratio of 6.07 among all cities. Busan’s seaside attractions and rich local culture have helped it establish a strong and positive image as a travel destination.
  
  
• Jeju Island, known for its natural landscapes and resort-like atmosphere, also showed a positive trend in online discussions. It recorded 22,805 positive mentions and 3,948 negative mentions, with a sentiment ratio of 5.16. Most users gave favorable reviews of Jeju’s scenic beauty, slow-paced lifestyle, and unique local attractions.
  
  
• Daegu, though having the lowest overall discussion volume, still displayed a solid reputation online. It had 12,786 positive mentions and 2,508 negative mentions, resulting in a sentiment ratio of 5.1. As a city with deep cultural roots, historic landmarks, and local festivals, Daegu, while more niche, maintains a consistently positive travel image.

● Gender Ratio and Interest Tags

• Seoul’s online mentions show a clear female-dominated pattern, with 75% from female users and 25% from male users. The most common interest tags include “travel & accommodation,” “food,” “shopping,” and “lifestyle sharing,” reflecting a tendency among female users to share travel experiences, daily life, and consumer insights. Other prominent tags include “fashion & styling,” “cooking,” and “music creation,” suggesting a content landscape that is lifestyle-oriented and emotionally expressive.
  
  
• Busan exhibits a more balanced gender distribution, with 64% female and 36% male. Like Seoul, its top tags are centered on “travel & accommodation,” “food,” and “lifestyle sharing.” Notably, tags such as “photography” and “video production” also appear, highlighting Busan’s appeal to users interested in visual arts and creative content. As a destination that combines coastal scenery and urban charm, Busan draws a broad range of attention across gender lines and content types.
  
  
• Jeju Island has a gender distribution similar to Seoul’s, with 72% female and 28% male. Its interest tags strongly lean toward family and lifestyle themes. In addition to travel-related tags, there is significant mention of “parent-child activities” and “mom & baby” topics. This suggests that Jeju is especially popular among women and families, with discussions often focusing on comfortable, relaxing, and family-friendly travel experiences.
  
  
• Daegu stands out as the city with the most balanced gender ratio, with 42% male and 58% female. Besides common travel-related topics, discussions also feature public and cultural themes such as “social welfare,” “film & arts,” “politics & society,” and “book reviews.” This diverse tag profile indicates that Daegu attracts a broader range of interests in online discussions –not only offering practical travel information, but also fostering cultural reflection and social engagement, drawing more knowledge-seeking and rationally oriented users into the conversation.

● Insights from Keyword Clouds –Top 4 Popular Travel Destinations in South Korea

★ Seoul travel –keyword cloud

Key trends:
1.Independent travel to Korea is popular, with Seoul as the core destination
Keywords such as “Korea,” “Seoul,” “itinerary,” “attractions,” and “city” indicate that most travelers prefer independent travel when visiting Korea, with Seoul remaining the central hub for tourism.

2.Food experiences are a major focus –cafés and specialty restaurants are highly favored
Terms like “food,” “travelers,” “cafés,” “specialty,” and “restaurants” highlight the importance of dining and culinary experiences in travel planning, showcasing the strong appeal of Korean food culture.

3.Diverse cities and nearby attractions are popular extensions to Seoul trips
In addition to Seoul, place names such as “Busan,” “Jeju Island,” and “Nami Island” appear frequently, suggesting that travelers often plan multi-city itineraries to explore more local and regional destinations across Korea.

★ Busan travel –keyword cloud

Key trends:
1.Busan emerges as a popular destination for independent travelers, with strong focus on itinerary planning
Busan has become one of the top cities in South Korea for independent travel. Keywords such as “itinerary,” “attractions,” “independent travel,” and “travelers” reappear here, as they did for Seoul, indicating that visitors prefer a flexible, in-depth exploration style when visiting Busan as well.

2.High interest in food –local cuisine and cafés in the spotlight
Keywords like “food,” “cafés,” “restaurants,” “breakfast,” and “dinner” stand out once again. Similar to Seoul, culinary experiences remain a major attraction, with Busan’s seafood, local street food, and trendy cafés drawing strong attention from tourists.

3.Multi-city and nearby excursions expand travel horizons –new emerging destinations gaining popularity
Terms such as “Gyeongju,” “Songdo,” “ocean view,” “nearby,” and “day trip” appear in the keyword cloud, suggesting that many travelers extend their trips from Busan to surrounding areas, combining cultural, natural, and coastal attractions into a broader travel experience.

★ Jeju Island travel –keyword cloud

Key trends:
1.Rising attention toward Jeju Island, with itinerary planning remaining a core focus
Keywords such as “Jeju Island,” “itinerary,” “independent travel,” “trip,” and “attractions” appear frequently, indicating that Jeju has become a popular and standalone travel destination in South Korea. Travelers tend to favor flexible, self-guided itineraries.

2.Natural scenery and iconic sights are key attractions
The presence of keywords like “scenery,” “landscape,” “Seongsan Sunrise Peak,” “ocean view,” “view,” and “sightseeing” reflects the island’s strong appeal through its natural beauty and landmark attractions, which are major points of interest for visitors.

3.Growth in family-friendly, themed, and in-depth travel experiences
Keywords such as “family travel,” “themed,” “exclusive,” “special,” “ambience,” and “in-depth” suggest that tourism in Jeju is evolving beyond basic sightseeing, moving toward diverse and segmented experiences, including family-oriented trips, Instagrammable photo spots, and cultural immersion.

★ Daegu travel –keyword cloud

Key trends:
1.“Daegu” remains a core keyword, but “Seoul” and “Busan” appear more frequently
In this keyword cloud centered on Daegu travel, users often mention “Seoul” and “Busan” even more than Daegu itself. This suggests that travelers tend to treat Daegu as a supplementary destination within broader itineraries focused on Seoul or Busan. It highlights Daegu’s relatively weak position in international tourism, where it has yet to establish a distinct identity as a standalone travel destination.

2.Strong demand for day trips and nearby explorations
Keywords like “day trip,” “nearby,” “suburb,” “bus,” “Haeundae,” “Gyeongju,” and “train” indicate that users frequently plan short excursions from Daegu, exploring surrounding cities or attractions via public transport or guided tours.

3.Rising interest in traditional cultural experiences
Terms such as “hanbok,” “K-dramas,” “specialty,” “theme,” “photo,” and “travel photography” reflect growing attention toward cultural and photogenic experiences in Daegu. Many independent travelers may be drawn to the city by drama filming locations, traditional Korean culture, or local festivals, seeking immersive and experiential travel.

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※CheeseAd is an advertising agency specializing in serving clients in the tourism industry. To better understand the current state of tourism in Taiwan for our foreign clients, we have selected news or information from your platform. If you have any comments regarding the above excerpts, please feel free to contact us. Thank you!

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Wok Hei –The Deciding Factor in Authentic Cantonese Cuisine
Whether a Cantonese dish passes the test often comes down to one thing: wok hei, the “breath of the wok.” This unique flavor can only be achieved by cooking with a traditional iron wok. It is the heart and soul of Cantonese cooking.
When the flame is at its highest and ingredients are stir-fried rapidly in the iron wok, the sudden surge in temperature creates that signature wok hei. Stir-frying is all about capturing that precise moment.
In Cantonese cuisine, the secret behind dishes that are visually appealing, aromatic, and flavorful lies in this very wok hei. Whether it’s a fine Cantonese restaurant or a traditional street-side stir-fry stall, wok hei is widely regarded as the ultimate mark of great culinary skill and outstanding food.

Concept Idea:
Hong Kong is a melting pot of global flavors, offering a rich diversity of culinary experiences –from dim sum and street-side stir-fries to Michelin-starred Cantonese fare. Wandering through its bustling streets and alleyways, one thing remains constant: the pursuit of that authentic wok hei. No matter where you are –Taiwan or elsewhere –it’s hard to find the true taste of Hong Kong’s wok hei.
Iconic stir-fried dishes like Beef Chow Fun, Typhoon Shelter Crab, Salt and Pepper Squid, Clams with Black Bean Sauce, and Sweet and Sour Pork showcase the bold, smoky flavors only Hong Kong can deliver. That’s why we invite food lovers who crave the true taste of Hong Kong to drop everything and take a spontaneous culinary trip to the city.
“Satisfy Your Cravings in Hong Kong –Fly Now for the Ultimate Wok Hei Experience!”

Campaign website:
Pair each wok hei dish with steamy animations to make visitors feel as if they can smell the irresistible aromas through the screen.
https://cxgourmetpromotion.discoverhongkong.com/tc/

Hong Kong wok hei food highlights

The ultimate guide to Hong Kong wok hei delicacies

Cathay Pacific lounge dining guide

Feature collaboration with lifestyle magazines –On-site reports from Hong Kong’s wok hei hotspots
https://www.discoverhongkong.com/content/dam/dhk/intl/plan/traveller-info/e-guidebooks/HK-Local-cuisine-tc.pdf

Top 10 wok hei restaurants in Kowloon
https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20250616food021
Top 10 wok hei restaurants on Hong Kong Island
https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20250616food022

Premium ad placement for an immersive wok hei culinary experience