Taipei: Taiwan's Tourism Administration is set to introduce a variety of travel incentives starting this September, including NT$5,000 travel credits for foreign visitors who have previously traveled to Taiwan. According to Focus Taiwan, the initiative aims to boost tourism by offering these credits and additional subsidies for company-sponsored trips and domestic hotel stays.
The administration announced that it will conduct weekly lotteries beginning in October for independent foreign travelers who have returned to Taiwan. Winners will receive an NT$5,000 (US$156) stored-value travel credit, with an extra NT$3,000 credit available for one accompanying traveler. This program targets foreign passport holders without a Taiwan residence permit, who have visited Taiwan at least once since January 1, 2023, and plan to visit for a duration of three to 90 days on their next trip.
Travelers are required to register on a dedicated website between seven and 90 days prior to arriving in Taiwan. The registration portal will go live at 10 a.m. on October 1, and the program will cater to travelers entering Taiwan from October 10, 2023, to March 31, 2027. The weekly number of lottery winners has yet to be finalized. Winners can redeem their credits at 7-Eleven stores and transfer them onto an icash 2.0, iPASS, or EasyCard for use at participating merchants across Taiwan.
Additionally, the administration will provide subsidies for overseas companies sponsoring group trips to Taiwan. Organizers will receive an extra NT$1,000 per person per night, up to NT$4,000 per person, if the group stays at licensed accommodations in specified regions of Taiwan between October 10, 2023, and March 31, 2027. This subsidy complements an existing program that offers NT$20,000 to NT$150,000 per group for short trips, or NT$400 to NT$800 per traveler for longer stays, depending on group size. Applications for these subsidies must be submitted at least 15 days before the group's arrival.
Moreover, international visitors attending conferences or exhibitions in Taiwan from September 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, will be eligible for a complimentary Taiwan Tour Bus package, offering a half-day or one-day guided tour. They will also receive a Taiwan PASS (THSR Edition) for unlimited travel on the Taiwan High Speed Rail for three consecutive days, along with free use of one selected metro system and scenic shuttle service.
In efforts to enhance Taiwan's appeal for large-scale events, the administration is also extending support for internationally renowned concerts and other major entertainment events. For domestic travelers, weekday lodging subsidies will be available from September 1 through November 30, exclusively for Taiwanese citizens. These travelers can receive subsidies up to NT$800 for the first night and NT$1,200 for the second, with higher subsidies for stays on Taiwan's outlying islands.
The administration has also introduced birthday lodging vouchers worth NT$1,200 each for 12,000 Taiwanese citizens. Registration for these vouchers began on Thursday, with results to be announced on September 9. The vouchers will be valid from September 10 through December 31.
Furthermore, travelers purchasing the Taiwan PASS (Taiwan Railways Edition) between September 1 and December 31 can choose between a 50 percent discount on the pass and an NT$1,500 weekday lodging voucher. This lodging voucher can be combined with existing subsidies and birthday vouchers.
Taiwan-based companies planning domestic employee trips between September 1 and December 15 can also apply for subsidies, subject to group size and composition criteria. Organizers of two-day, one-night employee tours can receive up to NT$20,000 per group, with a maximum of NT$60,000 per company.
These initiatives are backed by funding of approximately NT$3.33 billion, which passed legislative review on August 14.