One country is so keen to attract more tourists it is offering to cough up the cash for their flights. Taiwan is hoping to bring in two million tourists from Japan and China in 2024 by offering incentives to those who make the trip.
The country has endured a sharp downturn in tourism numbers after the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to the global health crisis, Taiwan attracted 11.86 million international tourists including 2.71 million coming from China and 2.16 million from Japan.
In 2023, Taiwan only had a total of 6.4million international visitor arrivals. As part of the plan to bring in more visitors, Taiwanese Airlines have agreed to offer a discount of 5,000 Japanese yen (£26).
Airlines that will take part in the new policy include China Airlines, EVA Airways, StarLux Airlines, and Tigerair Taiwan. A similar scheme was announced last year by Taiwan’s premier Chen Chien-jen.
At the time, he said: “The money will be given out through multiple tourism promotion events this year, rather than giving it all out at once. As such, not all international tourists would receive it.
“International tourists who are given NT$5,000 will not receive it until they arrive. It will be stored in an electronic ticketing card, which can be used to pay for food, accommodation and other travel expenses during their time here.”
There are a number of reasons tourists may be reluctant to visit Taiwan. CNBC spoke to a bed and breakfast owner in Taiwan’s Hualien County. They said that the earthquake that struck the area has seen many people cancel their reservations.
The owner said: “It’s dire; there are no tourists. Everyone is too scared to come.” Another reason could be due to China’s increasing aggression against the island nation.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway republic that should fall under its jurisdiction. Taiwan wants to govern itself, stopping short of declaring outright independence.
Beijing’s forces have carried out countless military drills near Taiwan, seen by many in the country as a threat.
