The survey found that visitors to Taiwan in 2009 spent an average of US$216.30 per day –an increase of 2.29 percent from US$211.46 in 2008.
Japanese travel group members spent an average US$314.22 daily, less than the 2008 figure, while Chinese visitors spent US$232.11, a marked drop from US$295 in 2008.
Chinese visitors spent US$ 115.31 per day on shopping, compared with US$100.88 for Japanese visitors.
The survey found that 30 percent of Chinese visitors and 49 percent of Japanese travelers said they wanted to buy souvenirs or speciality goods in Taiwan. Another 25 percent of tourists from China said they spent more money on jewelry and jade, while 13 percent of Japanese visitors preferred to purchase clothes and accessories.
Tourists listed the top three attractions as night markets, Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum respectively. The most popular night market was Taipei’s Shihlin Night Market, followed by Liouho Night Market in Kaohsiung.