Anyone up to travel to Taiwan? Because we hear they’re giving 500,000 tourists S$220 incentives each! Find out all about it here 👇
Planning to travel to Taiwan soon? If so, you’re in luck! Taiwan’s government has just recently announced an exciting new initiative for foreign tourists and we think it’s a pretty sweet deal! We’re talking about giving 500,000 tourists S$220 incentives each!
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Wait, Hold Up. S$220 incentives?
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That’s right, Taiwan is offering international travellers a NT$5,000 or S$220 incentive as part of its NT$5.3 billion package to boost tourism. According to TVBS, the incentives will be awarded to 500,000 lucky tourists after the country has fully reopened its borders to Hong Kong and Macau citizens as part of its NT$380 billion post-pandemic stimulus bill.
The country hopes to draw in as many as six million foreign tourists annually since it lifted its borders, as the number of Taiwanese citizens travelling overseas has far exceeded the number of inbound travellers. According to the Straits Times, tourism accounted for 4% of the country’s gross domestic product before the pandemic. This came to a standstill when Taiwan closed its borders and implemented strict quarantine rules to contain the virus.
In an effort to speed up the rejuvenation of its tourism industry, the package will also be awarding travel agencies subsidies of up to NT$20,000 or S$880 for every tour group they bring to Taiwan. While this grand package has been in the works for a while, officials have reported that more time is needed to properly implement the incentives.
Did You Know Taiwan’s Giving 500,000 Tourists S$220 Incentives Each?: For more info on the Hello Hong Kong Campaign, click here
How To Qualify?
Image credits: Taiwan News
According to the Taipei Times, Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-Chung has stated that not all international tourists will receive this benefit as the money will be distributed through multiple tourism promotion events this year.
Additionally, he stated that eligible tourists would only receive the incentive when they arrive in Taiwan which will be stored in an electronic ticketing card that can be used to pay for food, accommodation, and other travel expenses.
While there is not much information with regard to the eligibility criteria, it has been confirmed that the Tourism Bureau is planning to focus on attracting tourists from 18 countries defined in its most recent policy. These countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Phillippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Regarding travel agency subsidies, domestic and international agencies will be eligible to receive a subsidy of NT$10,000 or S$440 for every tour group consisting of 8 to 14 travellers visiting Taiwan. To receive the NT$20,000 or $880 subsidy, each tour group must consist of more than 14 international travellers.
More details on the eligibility criteria and payout dates will be announced in this article, so stay tuned for more updates!
Did You Know Taiwan’s Giving 500,000 Tourists S$220 Incentives Each?: Find out more if you still need Covid’19 coverage for your travel insurance here
Need An Itinerary For Taiwan? We’ve Got You!
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A hidden gem in Asia, Taiwan is often overlooked by travellers when in fact, it has so much to offer. From stunning natural scenery to vibrant cities with rich cultural experiences, Taiwan has something for everyone ranging from solo travellers and couples looking for a romantic getaway to families seeking adventure.
🌲 For adventurous nature lovers:
For the adventurous who prefer a non-basic experience, why not try your hand at trekking up Taiwan’s tallest dormant volcano in Yangminshan National Park? With the hustle and bustle of fast-paced city life, taking some time to yourself and hiking through one of Taiwan’s 9 national parks will alleviate some of that stress. Coming in at around 1120 metres above sea level, the journey up to Qixing Shan or Shichisei Mountain (Seven Star Mountain), will allow you to witness its many sulphur deposits, fumaroles, and hot spring pools.
If you prefer to be near the ocean, this is a great chance to take a trip down to Turtle Island or Guishan Island for whale watching! Shaped like a turtle, the island is the only active volcano in Taiwan with its surrounding waters attracting all sorts of migrating marine life during the months of May to October. Before you dive head first into visiting the island, do note that Turtle Island is only open to the public from March to November every day of the week except Wednesdays.
Although the country is bustling with life, you can get to experience the tranquillity of the high-mountain countryside in Nantou County’s very own Qingjing Farm. Known as Little Europe, the farm offers lush greenery as you watch thrilling horse-riding shows and interact with fluffy free-roaming sheep. You can even get to feed various farm animals, including horses, sheep, alpacas, and llamas for a fee!
🥟 For the foodies:
For our food critics, head down to the country’s busy night markets for a gastronomic adventure! Try your hand at the infamous stinky tofu at Dai’s House of Stinky Tofu, and decide for yourself if this local delicacy is a hit or miss. For a more modern twist, head to Shenkeng Old Street for a taste of Grilled Stinky Tofu stuffed with vegetables and meat or Stinky Mala Tofu stewed with Duck’s Blood and Pig’s Blood Cake.
If you’re looking for something to warm you up during the rainy season, head down to Chen Ji Mee Sua in Taipei for a hot bowl of intestine vermicelli. Like the Taiwanese Oyster Vermicelli, the dish is made from wheat noodles and topped with bonito flakes, black vinegar, cilantro, and chilli sauce. Braised chunks of pork intestines give the dish a major protein boost and some might even say it tastes better than its oyster counterpart.
Before leaving Taiwan, most locals would definitely recommend tourists try this local dish — duck tongue! Packed with flavour, duck tongue is often served braised in soy sauce or deep-fried in night markets. With a similar texture to chicken feet, most foodies would describe the delicacy as an ‘experience that they would not go out of their way to eat again. While that’s not the most encouraging review, you can decide if your relationship with duck tongue is one of love or hate at Lau Tien Lu Lu-Wei at the popular Ximending district!
Did You Know Taiwan’s Giving 500,000 Tourists S$220 Incentives Each?: Check out our guide for other ways you can score cheaper flights here
Discover The Beauty Of Taiwan!
Now that you’re all caught up, time to start planning your trip to Taiwan and dig in on those Taiwan night market craves! And while you’re at it, don’t forget to bring along your YouTrip Card and make use of our wholesale exchange rates!
As Singapore’s favourite multi-currency wallet, we aim to get those pesky fees out of the way and help you save on your travels. With the best foreign exchange rates, no longer will you have to deal with those long queues at money changers! So if you’re looking for a go-to travel card, sign up for your complimentary YouTrip card today with promo code <YTBLOG5> for free S$5 credits in your account! Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret. For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
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Safe Travels!
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