1. Introduction
Taiwan is looking to boost its tourism numbers and will hand out cash to visitors as an incentive to come.
2. Financial Incentives for Tourists
The island will distribute NT $5,000 (approximately $166) to 500,000 individual tourists, along with up to NT $20,000 (approximately $667) to 90,000 tour groups, CNN reported. The money will be issued digitally after tourists arrive, according to the Taipei Times, and can be utilized to cover expenses while in Taiwan, including food and accommodation.
3. Application Process and Timeline
However, travelers looking to plan a trip may want to hold tight, as it remains unclear when the money will be issued or how it can be applied for, according to CNN.
“The funds will be distributed through multiple tourism promotion events this year, instead of being released all at once,” stated Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung, according to the Taipei Times. “As such, not all international tourists will receive it.”
4. Goals for Tourism Growth
The new incentive program is part of a broader government goal to attract six million tourists in 2023 and ten million tourists by 2025, CNN noted. Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai expressed hopes that this incentive will draw visitors from key markets, including Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macao, Europe, and America.
5. Travel Requirements to Taiwan
Taiwan welcomes travelers, including those from the United States, without the need to test for COVID-19 prior to their journey, according to the American Institute in Taiwan. The country also lifted quarantine rules in October and eased mask regulations in December.
6. Comparison with Other Tourist Incentives
Taiwan is not the first destination to provide financial incentives to tourists. Malta introduced a program in 2021 to pay tourists to stay in hotels, while a region in Italy’s northeastern corner chose to cover travelers’ train fares to promote sustainable travel.
7. Introduction of Tourist Fees
Conversely, numerous destinations have established plans to collect tourist fees, including areas in Thailand, Venice, and regions across Europe.
