Cheese Report Jul 2026

Outbound Departures of Nationals of the Republic of China by Destination, May & January-May, 2026

1.Philippines Finally Announces! 14-Day Visa-Free Entry for Taiwan Travelers Extended for Another Year

The 14-day visa-free entry policy implemented by the Philippines for Taiwanese passport holders was originally scheduled to expire yesterday (June 30). However, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) finally made a last-minute announcement at 11:00 PM last night, stating that based on the principle of reciprocity, the visa-free entry policy will be extended for one year. The extension officially takes effect on July 1 and will run until June 30, 2027.

2.Travel Abroad with Greater Peace of Mind! NTUH and EVA Air Launch “Physicians in the Sky” Program to Provide Timely In-Flight Medical Assistance

Experiencing a sudden medical emergency during a flight can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening. To address this, National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) and EVA Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (July 3) to launch the “Physicians in the Sky” program.
The initiative allows passengers who are certified medical doctors to provide immediate professional assistance if an unexpected medical emergency arises mid-flight. By building a comprehensive health support network that spans before departure, during the flight, and after returning home, the program aims to enhance public awareness of healthy travel practices.

3.International Cruise Ship Revisits Port of Taichung; Around 100 Western Tourists Arrive to Expand International Route Market

International cruise lines continue to show strong confidence in Taichung’s tourism appeal. The Island Sky, a cruise ship under Noble Caledonia, docked at the Port of Taichung again today (the 21st). Carrying approximately 100 tourists from Europe and North America, the ship arrived in Taiwan from Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, with passengers setting off on sightseeing itineraries across Central Taiwan.
To welcome the visitors, Tsai Tsung-sheng, Deputy Director-General of the Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau, alongside Tsao Chung-yu, Director of the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Administration, and representatives from the Changhua County Government and the Port of Taichung, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, greeted the guests at the pier in person. The welcoming ceremony featured a performance by a professional youth dance troupe, showcasing Taichung’s warmth and hospitality and allowing international travelers to experience the region’s rich cultural charm the moment they arrived.

4.Klook Releases H2 2026 “Travel Pulse Survey”: 95% of Travelers Undeterred by Rising Costs, Proceeding with Travel Plans as Usual

Klook has released its latest Asia-Pacific Travel Pulse Survey for the second half of 2026. The findings reveal that a staggering 95% of APAC travelers are continuing with their travel plans this year despite rising travel costs, choosing not to cancel or postpone their trips due to expenses. This indicates that travel demand remains robust even in the face of global economic volatility and shifting international dynamics.
At the same time, travelers are becoming more budget-conscious. They increasingly favor exploring niche destinations, prioritize “experience-first” itineraries, and actively utilize social media and AI tools to plan their journeys.

5.International In-Flight Fuel Surcharges Decreased Starting July 7! Save Around NT$621 for Long-Haul and NT$239 for Short-Haul Flights

Due to the recent drop in aviation fuel prices, passenger fuel surcharges for international routes on domestic airlines will be decreased starting on the 7th of this month. The surcharge for short-haul routes will be reduced to US$27.50 (approximately NT$876), while long-haul routes will see a reduction to US$71.50 (approximately NT$2,276). This translates to savings of about NT$621 for long-haul flights and NT$239 for short-haul flights. The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has requested that airlines fully disclose this information to protect consumer rights.

● Pinterest Launches New “Ask Pinterest” AI Shopping App: Aiming to Stand Out with Aesthetic Insight

Unlike the traditional Pinterest platform, which centers around image-based searches, the standout feature of Ask Pinterest is its utilization of the platform’s “Taste Graph.” This internal data graph connects users with their interests and aesthetic preferences in real time to deliver context-aware recommendations.
Users can input multi-step, complex queries, such as “help me plan a dinner party” or “I want to gradually decorate this room over the next three months.” The app then provides tailored suggestions based on the user’s past Pins and Boards, even retaining context across multiple sessions.

Source: BLOCK TEMPO
https://www.blocktempo.com/pinterest-ask-ai-shopping-app-launch-experiment-features/

● More Than Just Ads: Meta Integrates Off-Site Activity Data into Content Recommendations and AI Personalization

Meta is updating its personalization mechanisms for Facebook and Instagram by integrating off-site activity data –shared by other businesses –into its Feed and Meta AI recommendation systems. This update is expected to roll out gradually starting this July. For instance, if a user has previously purchased a tent online, they might see camping-related videos on Reels in the future. Meta emphasized that “this update does not collect new data,” but rather utilizes the information that businesses already send to the platform to enhance the overall user experience.

Source: TechNews
https://technews.tw/2026/06/10/meta-will-use-your-activity-on-other-websites-to-personalize-your-feeds/

● Social Media and Video Platforms Surpass Traditional Media for the First Time to Become Main Source of Global News

(CNA Paris, 15th, Comprehensive Foreign Reporting) A prestigious report released today by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford indicates that social media and video platforms have officially surpassed traditional media to become the primary channels for global audiences to access news. The report also warns that traditional business models are currently facing a severe threat. According to the latest report from the Reuters Institute, social media and video platforms have become the primary channels for global audiences to obtain news.

Source: CNA
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202606160046.aspx

● Meta’s Ad Market Share Overtakes Google for the First Time! 3 Golden Strategies for Marketers to Seize the Turnaround Dividend

According to the latest forecast from eMarketer, 2026 will mark a historic turning point in the history of digital advertising: Meta’s global advertising market share is projected to reach 26.8%, surpassing long-time kingpin Google (26.4%) for the very first time.
In terms of absolute numbers, Meta’s global ad revenue is expected to hit approximately $243.5 billion, slightly edging past Google’s projected $239.5 billion. When it comes to growth momentum, Meta’s ad revenue growth rate has reached a staggering 24.1% –nearly double Google’s 11.9%.

Source: Business Next
https://www.bnext.com.tw/article/90900/meta-vs-google-ai-ads-2026