Due to the fact that tourism is primarily seen through an economic lens, people do not usually give much thought to tourism when discussing foreign policy and international relations. However, tourism plays an essential role in politics—namely in the realm of soft power, defined as a country’s ability to influence others without resorting to coercive pressure. When it comes to tourism, the idea is that through shared positive experiences facilitated by in-person visits, people will develop a favorable opinion of the destination nation. In turn, these experiences can bolster a nation's international image and legitimacy. As a result, tourism serves Taiwan’s economic and diplomatic objectives, both boosting Taiwan’s international support and diversifying its global connections.