This tourist spot will reward travelers with around ₹13,000

 

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the tourism industry around the world, with countries implementing complete lockdowns during the first wave of viral infections. However, the country is now making all out efforts to attract tourists after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

One such country is Taiwan, which has found a unique way to boost tourism by offering cash or discount incentives to nearly 500,000 tourists for the holidays this year, CNN reports.

This year, the popular tourist destination aims to welcome six million tourists. Taiwan's Premier Chen Chien-Jen said on Thursday that the country is focused on doubling this figure in 2024 and nearly 10 million visitors by 2025. The government has decided to attract visitors from major markets like Japan, South Korea, South East Asia, Hong Kong. Kong, Macao, Europe and America.

According to a CNN report, the Taiwan government will give allowances of up to NT$5,000 ($165) to 500,000 individual tourists and up to NT$20,000 ($658) to 90,000 tour groups.

Taiwan's Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai said the amount would be transferred through digital mode so that tourists can cover the cost of their holidays including accommodation.

Last year, Taiwan received about 900,000 visitors, mainly from Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and the United States, after the country lifts COVID-19 restrictions in October 2022.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong earlier this month also announced 500,000 free air tickets for tourists from around the world. This initiative will run from March.

Most of the tickets - 2 billion Hong Kong dollars - will come from the three local airlines through various promotional activities such as lucky draws, one-on-one promotions and games. The tickets will be distributed in phases, with Southeast Asian markets benefiting in the first phase.

80,000 air tickets will also be given to Hong Kong residents in the summer. Those living in the Greater Bay Area – the Chinese government's initiative to connect Hong Kong with neighboring mainland cities – would also benefit from the policy. This includes the technology and finance hub of Shenzhen and the manufacturing powerhouses of Dongguan and Foshan.