The Taiwanese government has inaugurated a long-running incentive scheme to help attract overseas travellers and provide a further welcome stimulus for the resurgent tourism industry.
Dubbed ‘Taiwan the Lucky Land’, the campaign involves a lucky draw for international visitors with 500,000 prizes each worth NT$5,000 (US$163) on offer.
The promotion was launched at Taoyuan Airport Terminal Two arrivals on 29 April by Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai. It kicks off fully tomorrow (1 May) and runs until 30 June 2025. Winners receive their prizes either as pre-payment spending cards (which can be used at airport restaurant and duty free stores along with multiple downtown locations) or as accommodation vouchers.
Beginning from Monday (May 1) at noon, 500,000 foreign visitors will be chosen by lucky draw to receive the prizes. The action lasts until 30 June 2025 with each year having a quota of prizes.
Passengers arriving into Taiwan on any flight from noon tomorrow are eligible to enter. They will need to have registered their personal information and chosen the type of travel prize (e-card or accommodation voucher) one to seven days before their scheduled arrival date.
The system then automatically sends a QR code to a traveller’s email address. After arriving in Taiwan, visitors present the QR code to participate in the ‘Taiwan the Lucky Land’ draw. If a dedicated lottery screen shows that a visitor has won a prize, they can claim it at the prize redemption area.
After being hard hit by the pandemic, Taiwan’s tourism industry is recovering steadily. The government is striving to attract 6 million visitors this year with a return to 2019 levels (a record 11.9 million) in 2024.
Taoyuan International Airport Corporation’s data for March shows that travel volume has rebound to 60% of the pre-pandemic level. The key to a full recovery is a return to normalised travel to and from Mainland China. Sources in Taiwan tell The Moodie Davitt Report that Mainland Chinese travellers with relatives in Taiwan have already started to visit since March. Business travel to and from the Mainland is expected to begin in May. ✈
