Taiwan has announced an incentive scheme aimed at boosting tourism
that is expected to begin in May where foreign visitors stand the chance
of winning NT$5,000 (US$163) shopping vouchers. This will be done
through a lucky draw which travellers will be eligible to participate in
if they sign up before arriving in Taiwan.
The lucky draw is part of the Ministry of Transportation and
Communications' plan to revive the local tourism and hospitality
sectors. Only foreign tourists arriving at Taiwan's four international
airports will be eligible for the scheme. The eligible airports are
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung
International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport.
Group tourists and travellers arriving in Taiwan on cruise ships will
not be eligible for the incentives offered through this scheme.
However, the ministry has plans to offer subsidies to local and foreign
tour agencies that organise or receive tour groups that spend at least
two nights in Taiwan, depending on the number of tourists in a group and
the days they stay.
The ministry is also offering incentives to local hotels and private
accommodation providers that hire new employees to help deal with the
shortage of staff. These businesses could receive NT$5,000 (US$163) per
month for each new employee hired if they pay the newly hired staff
member a minimum monthly salary. The minimum salary for hotels and
homestays is set at NT$33,000 (US$1076) in certain areas and NT$31,000
(US$1011) in others. These subsidies will apply to new employees hired
after the relevant regulations take effect in May.
The incentive scheme and subsidies are part of the government's
NT$380 billion (US$12 billion) post-pandemic economic recovery package
approved by lawmakers on 24 March. The government hopes that these
measures will help to revive the local tourism and hospitality sectors
and create jobs in the process.
The Taiwanese government is also urging travellers to continue to
follow health protocols and guidelines to keep themselves and others
safe.