Taiwan plans to pay tourists to visit
Taiwan has unveiled plans to pay tourists to visit.
Taiwan’s Premier Chen Jian-ren announced the scheme at a press conference last week, stressing that his government aims to welcome at least six million tourists this year and 10 million visitors a year by 2025.
The new initiative aims to boost the number of foreign tourists in the wake of the pandemic after the number fell to 900,000 in 2022, down from 11.8 million in 2019.
Half a million tourists will be offered NT$5,000 (£136) and 90,000 tour groups will receive NT$20,000 (£544).
Tourism Bureau General Director Chang Shi-chung explained that tourists will receive financial incentives only after they arrive in the country, and it will be distributed through promotions throughout the year.
“The money will be distributed through several tourism promotion activities this year, rather than being given away all at once,” Mr. Chang said, emphasizing, “Therefore, not all foreign tourists will receive it.”
“International tourists who receive NT$5,000 will not receive it before arrival,” Mr. Chang added.
The money will be credited to your payment card and this may help pay your travel expenses.
“They will be stored on an electronic ticket card that can be used to pay for meals, accommodation and other transportation costs while they are here,” Mr. Chang said.
Both local and international travel agencies are expected to be given additional incentives to improve tourism in Taiwan.
The sharp decline in visitor numbers is due to Covid restrictions and the full opening of the Taiwanese border only in October 2022.
High Quality Travel Association Chairman Ringo Lee said, “Compared to neighboring countries, we open borders to foreign tourists relatively late and have less funds to conduct international tourism marketing.”
