Are you looking for cheap long-distance travel this year?
Travelers will soon be paid to visit Taiwan, according to plans there.
A cash incentive of 5,000 New Taiwan dollars (about $164) per traveler or NT$20,000 ($654) for group excursions is being considered by Taiwanese officials as a way to revive the country's dwindling tourist numbers.
The program will assist the government to attain its target of 6 million visitors by the end of the year, which is expected to benefit about 500,000 foreign tourists.
Taiwan finally fully reopened its borders in October of last year as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and since then, it has been unable to draw even a tenth as many tourists as it did in previous years. As a result, officials are currently making money by spending money.
How will it work?
The financial package will be transferred digitally to a certain kind of tourist card, according to Chang Shi-Chung, director-general of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, guaranteeing that every dollar will be reinvested in the nation's tourism industry.
"The NT$5,000 offered to foreign tourists will not be given until they arrive," Chang said.
It will be kept on an electronic ticketing card that they may use to make purchases for lodging, meals, and other travel-related costs while they are in the country.
Travelers will get these cash amounts this year through a series of "promotional events," though it is yet unclear exactly when or where they will be given out.
At least in terms of marketing, Taiwan has discovered a clever technique to signal to the world that it is open for business by the very fact that we are writing this and you are reading it. We'll have to wait and see if this results in the 10 million tourists it aims to attract by 2025.
It's not the first Asian tourism hotspot to pour money into attracting fewer visitors. Hong Kong said last month that it would be giving away 500,000 free airline tickets as part of a campaign called "Hello Hong Kong" to entice tourists back.
How far will the money go?
Actually, quite a ways. A week-long vacation might be less expensive than the same amount of time spent in many European locations because living expenses in this region of Asia are lower than in many of its larger neighbors.
Five-star hotel rooms in Taiwan's capital Taipei may be had for roughly $84 per night for two persons in June. The "Big Mac index" may provide a more accurate picture of how far your money will go, with the holy meat sandwich costing $2.50 in Taiwan as opposed to an average of $6.05 in the United States — (junk) food for thought.
Why has tourism to Taiwan decreased?
The decision was made at a time when the travel industry, which is still reeling from the COVID-19 outbreak, is facing growing uncertainty.
Before the epidemic, there were roughly 11.8 million annual visitors; by last year, that number had dropped to only 9,000.
Businesses across the nation, including hotels, airlines, restaurants, and recreational facilities, might be severely impacted by this.
Intensifying hostilities between China and Taiwan could be another factor contributing to a declining tourist industry.
The United States has issued warnings to China about a potential invasion as a result of the tensions.
The latest provocation to have global repercussions was this week when 25 Chinese warplanes and three warships were spotted off Taiwan's mainland.
Far from implying that you shouldn't visit Taiwan, this.
Taiwan has "Level 1" travel advice from the U.S. Department of State, which suggests using "usual precautions" when traveling there.
In conclusion
Let's face it unless you already had plans to visit this lovely region of Asia in 2023, a $164 subsidy probably won't be enough to convince you to do so when a flight may cost three or four times as much.
If you aren't one of the 500,000 tourists who will profit from the promotion, though, you can make up for it with the amazing food and scenery.
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