To encourage a rebound of Taiwan’s tourism industry, the government is proposing to give international tourists a NT$5000 travel credit. That’s according to a plan from the Transportation Ministry released Thursday. The funds can be used for items such as discounts at hotels.
In addition to tourist credits, the plan also calls for giving bonuses to workers in the hotel industry, which has faced a labor shortage during the pandemic. The government would give employers who raise workers’ wages in the sector a NT$5000 monthly subsidy for up to a year.
The plan aims to bring six million tourists to Taiwan in the first year, eventually returning the country to the 12 million visitors per year seen before the pandemic.
As for China's proposal to reopen direct cross-strait flights to 16 destinations, the ministry says the matter is still being discussed. It adds that the four places currently offering cross-strait flights are only operating at half capacity, so much work would be required to meet the potential increase in Chinese visitors.