Taipei Travel Geek

Taiwan Tourist Giveaway: Full Guide & Winning Odds

The Taiwanese government have just introduced an incentive scheme called Lucky Land , with the aim of encouraging tourists to visit their beautiful country from mid 2023 until mid 2025.

Tourists visiting Taiwan between these dates have the chance to win one of 500,000 vouchers worth NT$5,000 (US$162) each on arrival, which can be redeemed during their stay.

When is it Running?

Who is eligible, how to register & claim, lucky land vouchers, what is your chance of winning.

Click link to go to the appropriate section on this p age

The incentive scheme starts at 12:00 noon on May 1st, 2023, and will run until June 30th 2025.

Anyone whose flight arrives in Taiwan between these dates, and has registered for Lucky Land will have a chance of winning.

The 500,000 vouchers will be split up and released in batches each year:

Click Here to Read my Comprehensive Guide to Taipei

Any independent traveller who doesn’t hold a Taiwanese (ROC) passport and is visiting Taiwan for between 3 and 90 days during the period it runs.

An independent traveller is defined as anyone not on a tour group, and have not applied for any group-related travel incentives.

So basically, it’s open to virtually all tourists.

If you’re travelling as a family or in your own group, then each one of you can apply separately – you just need to ensure you use a different email address for each application.

I have also received confirmation from the organisers of the giveaway that there is no minimum age requirement, so you can even use your children’s details – although they’ll need to have their own passport number.

Finally, if you’re visiting Taiwan multiple times during the period of the draw, it’s perfectly fine to re-enter the draw separately on each visit.

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Visit their registration website to begin the process.

You can register between 1 and 7 days before your scheduled arrival date in Taiwan. It is not possible to register on the same day as your flight.

You must have already booked your flights before you register, as you’ll need to enter your flight details along with the following:

  • Nationality
  • Passport Number
  • Arrival and Departure Flight Numbers
  • Arrival and Departure Dates
  • Email Address

You will also need to specify which type of voucher you would like to receive. See the ‘ Lucky Land Vouchers ‘ section below for further details about these.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll be sent a QR code to the specified email address.

When you arrive in Taiwan , make your way to the arrival hall at any of these airports:

  • Taoyuan International Airport (Terminals 1 and 2)
  • Songshan International Airport
  • Taichung International Airport
  • Kaohsiung International Airport

Locate the Lucky Land prize redemption area ( visit this page for exact locations ) and scan your QR code to see if you’ve won.

If you’re a winner, you’ll need to supply them with the following documents:

  • Boarding Pass (don’t throw this away!)
  • Electronic Round-Trip Air Ticket

and they will immediately give you your NT$5,000 worth of vouchers!

There are 3 types of vouchers you can receive:

  • E-Ticket EasyCard
  • E-Ticket iPass
  • Accommodation Vouchers
You must specify which type of voucher you want when registering

Both the EasyCard and iPass e-vouchers offer similar incentives. These are smart cards that can be used in many locations, including most types of transportation, convenience stores, some supermarkets, malls and restaurants, and many other attractions including museums and Taipei Zoo.

Click here for a full list of applicable places to use an EasyCard Click here for a full list of applicable places to use an iPass

You are limited by the amount you can spend with these – NT$1,500 for a single purchase and a maximum of NT$3,000 for same-day purchases. The e-voucher card may not be topped up, refunded, or returned, so you should try to use it up.

The Accommodation vouchers can be used to book rooms at participating hotels and B&Bs around Taiwan. You must book your stay from each hotel website (and not a third-party site such as Booking.com).

Click here for a full list of participating hotels along with links for each hotel website

You will be given 5 vouchers worth NT$1,000 each which can be used separately or together.

Which Type of Voucher Should you Get?

I don’t really understand how you can take advantage of the accommodation vouchers as you’ll have most likely already booked your stay, unless you only book your initial stay and keep your options open just in case you win.

If you decide to get the e-vouchers, you won’t have any trouble spending your NT$5,000 quota, even if you’re only in Taiwan for 3 days.

Personally, I would recommend getting an EasyCard as they’re the most widely accepted smart card in Taiwan.

Click here to read my guide on the EasyCard

Before the pandemic struck, Taiwan saw a record number of visitors during 2019 – with almost 12 million tourists.

However, since it’s re-opening in 2022, Taiwan has struggled to get tourists returning – hence why they’ve introduced this scheme, with which they’re hoping to attract up to 6 million tourists during 2023.

Now let’s do some very rough Maths.

Assuming that around 2 millions of these will visit before 1st May, when the tourist incentive scheme isn’t available, and then of the remaining 4 million, maybe half of these aren’t aware of the scheme and don’t register (which is a very conservative estimate), then that leaves 2 million.

If there are 250,000 vouchers available, you have about a 1 in 8 chance of winning. If there are more of you, then those odds will significantly improve.

This is for 2023 only, so in 2024 when there are only 150,000 vouchers available for the entire year, and 2025 when there are only 100,000 vouchers for 6 months, the odds will become worse by up to three-fold.

In other words, try to get to Taiwan in 2023. Not only do you have a good chance of getting some extra spending money, but you’ll also get to enjoy this beautiful country and the many delights it has to offer!

If you have found the information on this page helpful, please take a minute to share this post. Your support would be greatly appreciated :)

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Accelerated and Expanded Inbound Tourism Promotion Program - Taiwan the Lucky Land

交通部觀光署為促進國際觀光客來台,針對來台旅客及旅行業提供促銷優惠誘因,故推動本方案。

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Foreign independent travelers who hold foreign (non-ROC) passports, have stays in Taiwan of 3-90 days, are not members of tour groups, and are not applying for any group-related ROC travel incentives.

The event times below are based on Taiwan local time (UTC/GMT +08:00)

The lucky draw promotion will begin with flights scheduled to arrive in Taiwan on or after 12 pm (noon) on May 1, 2023. It will continue through June 30, 2025. Registration for the promotion will open at 12 pm (noon) on April 28, 2023.

(1) Travelers may register from one to seven days before their scheduled arrival date in Taiwan. Log in to the event website and provide the requested information (such as name, nationality, passport number, flight number, dates of arrival/departure and e-mail address). Select the type of payment you would like to receive (a pre-paid e-ticket card or hotel discount vouchers). Once your registration is successful, the system will automatically send a lucky draw QR code to your registered e-mail.

航班表定抵達臺灣日之 1-7 天前至活動網站登錄相關資訊 (含姓名、國籍、護照號碼、抵臺日期及航班、離臺日期、電子信箱) ,並且選擇消費金種類 (電子票證或住宿折抵優惠券擇一),登錄成功後,系統將自動發送抽獎 QR Code 至旅客所登載之電子信箱。

(2) Registration timing example: For a flight that is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan at 23:59 on June 1st, travelers can begin registering for the lucky draw at 00:00 on May 25, and the registration window will be open until 23:59:59 on May 30.

On the day you arrive in Taiwan, use the QR Code obtained during event registration to participate in the lucky draw. Proceed to the event area of your airport’s arrival hall. You must complete your lucky draw within the airport arrival hall on the day you arrive in Taiwan. Taiwan’s airports include Taoyuan International Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2), Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport and Kaohsiung International Airport.

If the lottery screen shows that you have won a prize, please present your passport and relevant supporting documents (including entry stamp, boarding pass, and electronic round-trip air ticket) to the staff at the prize redemption area. You will then sign to confirm receipt and collect your prize. The type of prize you receive will be the same as you requested at the time of registration. This cannot be changed once it has been entered into the system. Prize redemption can only be completed on the day of arrival in Taiwan.

Reminder: Prizes will not be awarded to travelers who cannot provide the necessary documents for verification.

The NT$5,000 prizes are provided either in the form of a pre-paid (E-ticket) card or a set of accommodation vouchers. These prizes are valid for up to 90 days after issuance.

You can choose an EasyCard, iPASS or iCash 2.0, all of which can be used at affiliated stores within Taiwan. The maximum single-use and daily usage limits for each type of card are outlined in the table below:

※Swipe left and right to view the complete content.

Five vouchers worth NT$1,000 each will be issued. Vouchers can only be used at participating tourist hotels that have valid tourist hotel business licenses, or hotels/homestays that have obtained valid registration certificates. Please refer to the event website for a list of participating accommodations.

發放 1,000 元 5 張,限中獎者本人使用,每張優惠券折抵一次使用,不得找零、轉售。適用於臺灣境內配合本活動且取得觀光旅館業執照之觀光旅館業或取得登記證之旅館業及民宿。

When registering for the lucky draw, the traveler is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of the information that they supply. If a traveler is unable to participate in the event or collect a prize due to any errors, this shall be the responsibility of the traveler and not the event organizer. Any person found to be misappropriating the personal information of others or engaging in any other malfeasance shall be held liable and responsible per the applicable laws.

Eligible international free independent travelers (FIT) to Taiwan can enter a luckey draw for prizes worth NT$5,0000

Incentives are available to encourage domestic travel agencies and their overseas counterparts to cooperate in welcoming more foreign tour groups to Taiwan. Such tour groups must have at least four members and stay in Taiwan at least three days and two nights. Incentive levels range from NT$5,000 to NT$50,000 per tour, depending on the number of tour group members and length of stay.

Group tours to Taiwan: lncentives are Available!

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Taiwan is paying tourists to visit—here's what you need to know

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Many countries continue to struggle to bring back tourism on the scale that it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Places like Hong Kong and regions in Italy have turned to offering free travel and even free houses to encourage people to visit and to help boost their economies.

The latest place on that list is Taiwan. The government is offering tourists 5,000 New Taiwan dollars (about $163 USD) per traveler or NT$20,000 (about $653 USD) for up to 90,000 tour groups.

According to The Points Guy , Chang Shi-chung, the director-general of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, said the money would be sent via a digital tourist card to ensure the funds go directly to Taiwan's tourism. Travelers will be able to use the cards for food, accommodation, and other travel expenses.

Taiwan is focusing on attracting more visitors from places like Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macao, Europe, and the U.S.

According to the Taiwan Tourism Bureau , it saw under 900,000 visitors in 2022 compared to a record 11.8 million international tourists in 2019 .

It's still unclear when and how Taiwan will start distributing the digital tourist cards, as the government hasn't yet released its plan.

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taiwan tourist lotto

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Mon, May 01, 2023 page3

Voucher lottery for visitors begins.

  • Staff writer, with CNA

taiwan tourist lotto

Starting at noon today, foreign independent travelers arriving in Taiwan would be eligible to enter a draw to win NT$5,000 vouchers, the Tourism Bureau said.

The visitors should be scheduled to stay in the nation for at least three days to be eligible for the draw, it said.

However, travelers who arrive in tour groups or whose trips are subsidized by tour-related incentives would not be eligible, it added.

taiwan tourist lotto

People pose with Tourism Bureau mascots at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Saturday.

Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times

The voucher promotion is expected to benefit 500,000 foreign travelers until June 30, 2025, the bureau said, adding that the promotional period could be extended if the incentives prove to be effective.

To demonstrate how the draw works, several foreign tourists who arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 2 on Saturday were invited to try their luck.

Some visitors from France, Canada, South Korea and Hong Kong won the vouchers, the bureau said.

Tourism officials said foreign travelers can register for the draw on the campaign’s Web site (5000.taiwan.net.tw), which began accepting registrations on Friday.

Eligible visitors should register for the draw within one to seven days before their arrival in Taiwan, they said.

For example, visitors traveling on a flight that is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan at 11:59pm on June 1 can register for the draw from midnight on May 24 until 1 second before midnight on May 30, the Web site says.

In addition to providing their travel and contact information on the Web site, travelers need to indicate whether they want to redeem the NT$5,000 on a payment card or as five NT$1,000 vouchers that can be used to pay for their accommodation in Taiwan, the bureau said.

People who complete their registration would receive a confirmation e-mail containing a QR code that would be used for the draw, it said.

Upon arriving at one of the participating airports — Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport), Taichung International Airport and Kaohsiung International Airport — the travelers should proceed to a dedicated area in the arrival hall and scan the QR code to enter the draw.

The draw is part of the government’s plan to attract 6 million foreign tourists by the end of this year and 12 million next year, which was the original target set for 2019.

As of Friday, Taiwan had recorded 1.55 million visitors this year, the bureau said.

The nation attracted a record 11.86 million visitors in 2019.

The incentives and subsidies are part of the government’s NT$380 billion post-COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery package approved by lawmakers on March 24.

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taiwan tourist lotto

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Discover Taiwan's Wonders, One Wander at a Time

taiwan tourist lotto

Explore Taiwan with ‘Taiwan the Lucky Land’ Travel Stipend Program

Taiwan, a land brimming with cultural wonders and natural beauty, invites travelers from across the globe to embark on a memorable journey through its vibrant landscapes and rich heritage. To celebrate the lifting of COVID restrictions and to entice more foreign tourists to visit this spectacular island, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has introduced an exciting initiative: “ Taiwan the Lucky Land .”

The Travel Stipend: What’s on Offer?

As of May 1, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau launched the “Taiwan the Lucky Land” subsidy scheme, offering a remarkable NT$5,000 (approximately US$163) travel stipend to foreign travelers. Over the course of three years from May 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, a total of 500,000 lucky winners will have the chance to claim this enticing travel incentive.

Kaohsiung

How Does the Lucky Draw Work?

The prize scheme aims to invigorate Taiwan’s tourism industry by providing the NT$5,000 incentive to 250,000 winners in 2023. In 2024, the prize will be awarded to 150,000 travelers, and in the final year, 2025, there will be 100,000 lucky recipients.

Claiming Your Prize: The Options and Eligibility

Winners must choose in advance whether to receive the funds through a pre-paid payment card or accommodation voucher, with supporting documentation required at the designated airport or Tourism Bureau office.

Eligibility for the draw extends to foreign independent travelers holding foreign passports, planning to visit Taiwan for a duration of three to 90 days. Notably, applicants must not be members of a tour group or applying for any group-related Taiwan travel subsidies.

How to Register and Claim Your Prize

To participate in the lucky draw, interested travelers must follow these steps:

  • Visit the “ Taiwan the Lucky Land ” website.
  • Click on the “Register Now” option.
  • Fill in the necessary details including personal information, passport details, travel itinerary, and prize selection (payment card or accommodation voucher).
  • Receive a confirmation email containing a QR code for verification.

Upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport , Taipei Songshan Airport , Taichung International Airport , or Kaohsiung International Airport , winners can scan their QR code at the dedicated lucky draw redemption area. If the lottery screen indicates a win, presenting the necessary documents will enable collection of the prize.

Embrace the Adventure!

This exceptional opportunity invites travelers to experience Taiwan’s beauty, immerse themselves in its rich culture, and create unforgettable memories. The “Taiwan the Lucky Land” program serves as a gateway to exploring the wonders of this vibrant island nation.

So, get ready to embark on an exciting journey and explore Taiwan’s treasures with the alluring “ Taiwan the Lucky Land ” travel stipend. Remember, every step you take in Taiwan could lead you to an exciting adventure and unforgettable experiences!

Key Details at a Glance

  • The travel stipend program operates from 12 pm on May 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025.
  • Open to foreign independent travelers holding foreign (non-ROC) passports.
  • Stays in Taiwan should range from 3 to 90 days.
  • Applicants must not be part of tour groups or applying for group-related ROC travel incentives.
  • STEP 1 : Register at least 1 day and within 7 days before arrival in Taiwan.
  • STEP 2 : Try your luck and participate in the draw at the arrivals hall of airports in Taiwan.
  • STEP 3 : Receive your prize on the spot upon winning and enjoy your trip to Taiwan.

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Taiwan The Lucky Land NT5000 Travel Incentive

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Are you ready for this?

Traveling to Taiwan from 1st of May 2023 (1200 UTC+8 onwards) to 30th of June 2025 (2359 UTC+8)

Register now  https://5000.taiwan.net.tw/  for a chance to win the travel incentive lucky draw on arrival in Taiwan

Website Registration: Start from 28th April 2023, 12 noon (UTC+8)

Lucky Draw: Start from 1st May 2023, 12 noon (UTC+8)

Travel Incentive

Prepaid E-ticket (EasyCard or iPASS card) worth NT$5000

Accommodation vouchers worth NT$5000

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Taiwan Tourism Launches “Taiwan the Lucky Land” Subsidy Scheme for Foreign Travelers

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau has recently launched a subsidy scheme titled “Taiwan the Lucky Land” to encourage more foreign tourists to visit the country now that its COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Here are the details of the scheme:

Table of Contents

“Taiwan the Lucky Land” The Lucky Draw

Prize options, eligibility and registration, to register, visitors should:, how to claim the prize.

The scheme offers a lucky draw for a NT$5,000 (US$163) travel stipend for foreign travelers. Over the course of three years from May 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, 500,000 foreign tourists who win a lucky draw will be provided with NT$5,000. To jump-start Taiwan’s tourism, the NT$5,000 incentive will be handed out to 250,000 winners this year, while in 2024, the prize will be awarded to 150,000 travelers, and in 2025, there will be 100,000 recipients.

Winners must choose in advance whether to receive the funds via a pre-paid payment card or accommodation voucher and present the supporting documentation when claiming the prize at the counter of a designated airport or Tourism Bureau office. Tourists who opt for payment cards can choose between having the money stored on an EasyCard or iPass. When spending the prize money with these cards, the single purchase limit is NT$1,500, while no more than NT$3,000 can be spent per day.

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According to the bureau, the draw is open to foreign independent travelers who hold foreign passports, visit Taiwan for three to 90 days, are not members of a tour group, and are not applying for any group-related Taiwan travel subsidies. Visitors may register for the draw one to seven days before their scheduled arrival date in Taiwan.

  • Go to the “Taiwan the Lucky Land” website.
  • Click on the “Register Now” option.
  • Select and click “Register for the lucky draw.”
  • Fill out last name, middle name, first name, passport number, nationality, arrival airport, arrival and departure dates, airlines, flight numbers, and email address.
  • Next to “Travel prizes options,” select E-Ticket-iPass, E-Ticket- EasyCard, or Accommodation Vouchers.
  • Enter the verification code.
  • Click the checkbox next to the statement pledging correctness and authenticity of information entered.
  • Click “send.”

A confirmation email should arrive at the email address submitted in the form. The email will contain a QR code that will be used to determine whether they have won the draw when they arrive at a designated airport.

Winners can claim the prize by scanning the QR code at the dedicated lucky draw redemption area when arriving at one of these four airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport. If the lottery screen at the airport arrival hall indicates that a traveler has won the prize, they must present staff with their passport and relevant supporting documents, including entry stamp, boarding pass, and electronic round-trip air ticket.

The lucky traveler must then sign to confirm receipt and collect the prize. The type of prize received will depend on the option selected when registering. The type of prize cannot be changed after it has been entered into the system. Prizes can only be redeemed on the day of arrival in Taiwan.

To obtain further details, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the website.

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taiwan tourist lotto

Independent international tourists arriving in Taiwan will have the opportunity to draw prizes of NT$5,000 in spending credits. To participate, travelers to Taiwan need to register on the event website (5000.taiwan.net.tw) from 1-7 days before their flight is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan .

LOS ANGELES , May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- MOTC (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) Minister Wang Kwo-Tsai announced that the " Taiwan the Lucky Land" campaign will begin at 12:00 pm (noon) on May 1st , Taiwan time. He made the announcement at an event held at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2. Independent international tourists arriving in Taiwan will have the opportunity to draw for prizes of NT$5,000 in spending credits. At the same event, the Tourism Bureau, MOTC, introduced the event website ( 5000.taiwan.net.tw ) and demonstrated the lucky draw for independent travelers. Arriving international tourists were invited to participate. Passengers were pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to win spending money for lodging and shopping.

The " Taiwan the Lucky Land" promotion was launched by the Tourism Bureau to attract even more foreign tourists to Taiwan . To participate, travelers to Taiwan need to register on the event website ( 5000.taiwan.net.tw ) from 1-7 days before their flight is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan . At registration, travelers choose their preference between a pre-paid ecard or accommodation vouchers. Upon arrival in Taiwan , travelers participate in a lucky draw to see if they win the prize they selected (either the prepaid ecard or accommodation vouchers) which have a value of NT$5,000 . The objective is to attract more visitors to Taiwan , which will support the tourism industry as well as the broader economy. The Tourism Bureau's overseas offices have been actively promoting the lucky draw program through channels such as local media and social media.

Minister Wang noted that the Tourism Bureau uses tourism circles to integrate local resources, develop regional tourism characteristics, package tourism products, develop cruise itineraries, jointly promote high-quality tourism, and build international brands. The Bureau's overseas offices play a critical role in several areas. These include analyzing trends, such as seasonality and target market preferences; participating in international tourism exhibitions and other large-scale events; organizing presentations to promote themed tours; and managing advertising and marketing campaigns. One goal is to broaden Taiwan's inbound tourism base. The Tourism Bureau combines the marketing capabilities of various ministries and agencies to increase the promotion of incentives that focus on inbound tourism and increase the number of people who choose Taiwan as a preferred destination.

In addition to the raffle for independent travelers, the Tourism Bureau is also offering incentives that encourage local travel agencies to cooperate with foreign travel agencies in welcoming more tour groups to Taiwan . Local travel agencies can receive grants ranging from NT$5,000 to NT$50,000 , depending on the number of travelers and the length of stay in Taiwan . In addition, Taiwan is restarting its "half-day transit tour" program, which has always been popular with transit passengers. Reservations for these tours will start to be accepted on May 1st . Also, to feature the strengths of Taiwan's post-pandemic tourism market, the Tourism Bureau has completed six videos under the theme of "SHOW@TAIWAN." The films welcome international tourists to Taiwan , showing the country's beauty and highlighting new traveling experiences. One objective of these efforts is to meet Taiwan's goal of welcoming six million international visitors to Taiwan this year!

Media Contact

Vivian Lin , Taiwan Tourism Bureau, 213-399-9128, [email protected]

SOURCE Taiwan Tourism Bureau

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Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong

How to win the Taiwan NTD 5,000 travel vouchers starting May 1

The Taiwanese government is offering NTD 5,000 (about HKD 1,280) worth of vouchers to incoming tourists starting May 1. The rewards will be available to individual travellers, while travel agencies can receive subsidies worth NTD 10,000 to 20,000 for groups coming to Taiwan.

The scheme is part of the government’s NTD 5.3 billion plan to attract around six million overseas travellers this year. They hope it will help the tourism sector and the pandemic-stricken economy recover. The incentive also encourages local spending following COVID-19 curbs.

Taiwan travel: 10 free things to do in the tourist paradise

Taiwan travel: Everything to know about the vouchers

The proposed spending plan comes after Taiwan fully  reopens to Hong Kong and Macau tourists . Officials said the package has been in the works for a while but needed some time to implement the plan. 

Travellers entering Taiwan with a foreign passport and staying there for at least three days up to 90 days are eligible for the scheme. Half of the 500,000 vouchers available are given out this year with the entire scheme running through until 2025. Tourists can register online starting April 28 at 12 pm on the website (5000.taiwan.net.tw) which goes live on May 1 at 12 pm. Successful registrants will receive a QR code via email.

The vouchers will be given through a lucky draw upon arrival at one of the four airports in Taiwan. They are Taoyuan International Airport, Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport. Winners can claim the prize by presenting supporting documents such as entry stamps, boarding passes, and copies of their round-trip flight tickets at the redemption area.

taiwan tourist lotto

Winners can choose between two options

Lucky winners will be able to choose how to spend the vouchers including accommodation or stored value payment cards such as iPass or EasyCard. Those who choose the latter can only pay vendors who accept the cards. Each payment is limited to NTD 1,500 and daily spending is capped at NTD 3,000. Meanwhile, those who prefer to use it for accommodation will receive five vouchers each valued at NTD 1,000.

The vouchers can only be used by the winners and are not up for sale to others. Hotels will also not be able to refund any price difference if the accommodation cost is less than the voucher value. Next year, 1500,000 vouchers will be given out followed by 100,000 recipients in 2025.

Hongkongers showed excitement when Taiwan reopened its borders in February. While there is a massive demand to secure an entry visa online, many opt for a visa upon arrival. Taiwan also scrapped social distancing measures and eased its indoor face mask mandate as the pandemic stabilised.

Are you excited to travel to Taiwan?

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(Featured and hero image credit: Thomas Tseng/Unsplash)

How to win the Taiwan NTD 5,000 travel vouchers starting May 1

Jianne Soriano

An introvert at heart, Jianne has an immense passion for storytelling. This Filipino, Hong Kong-born native is a certified foodie and cinephile. When she’s not writing, you can find her chilling at cafes, watching movies, or travelling solo.

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Taiwan launches website to gift 500,000 tourists stored-value smartcards, hotel vouchers from May 1

taiwan tourist lotto

In a bid to restore the flow of foreign visitors to its shores, Taiwan will in May offer digital smartcards stored with NT$5,000 (S$218) or vouchers of the same value for hotel stays to offset some travellers’ expenses.

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s Singapore office said on Monday that 500,000 foreign visitors will receive the vouchers or cards through a lucky draw system when they enter Taiwan at any of the four participating airports on the island starting from noon on May 1.

Tourists will have to pre-register for the draw at least one day before they arrive at either the Taoyuan or Songshan airports that serve capital Taipei, or the Taichung and Kaohsiung international airports.

According to a tourism bureau official, tourists intending to participate will receive a designated QR code after they register at 5000.taiwan.net.tw , which went live on Friday.

The QR code will serve as their lucky draw coupon, which travellers will have to scan at the airport’s arrival hall to find out if they are one of 500,000 winners.

Prize winners can then choose to receive either vouchers to offset some of their accommodation costs or a smartcard, both valued at NT$5,000.

Those who opt for the vouchers, which come in denominations of NT$1,000, can use them at more than 450 participating hotels islandwide.

The smartcards will be variants of Taiwan’s EasyCard (you you ka in Mandarin) or iPass (yi ka tong), the equivalents of Singapore’s ez-link card, that travellers can use for public transport, shopping and dining.

A spokesman for the tourism bureau said 250,000 vouchers have been allocated for 2023, leaving 150,000 more to be won in 2024 and the remaining 100,000 for 2025. The promotion will end by June 30, 2025, or when the last voucher has been given out that year.

Visitors on cruises and agency-arranged tours are not eligible for these vouchers.

Local and foreign tour agencies, however, will be able to access subsidies up to NT$50,000 (S$2,180) provided by the tourism bureau when they bring groups who stay for at least two nights in Taiwan.

Tour agency CTC Travel said in response to queries from The Straits Times on Wednesday it was looking into giving “perks” to travellers booking a Taiwan tour in the form of discounts and travel insurance, but was waiting for more concrete details on implementation from the tourism bureau.

The tourism financial incentives were approved on March 24 as part of the government’s NT$380 billion post-pandemic economic recovery package, said Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications on April 18.

The island ushered in the first wave of revenge travellers after its post-pandemic border opening in October 2022.

Taiwan is looking to attract up to six million foreign visitors in 2023, the tourism bureau’s deputy director-general Trust Lin said in March, adding that an estimated one million visitors had arrived in the first three months of the year.

In the three years before the pandemic, Taiwan averaged about 11.2 million overseas visitors a year, but those numbers plummeted to around 1.38 million in 2020, 141,000 in 2021 and 895,000 last year, according to The Taipei Times.

Taiwan has been a popular tourist destination for travellers from Singapore, with 460,000 registered visitors to the island in 2019, before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Kevin Tay, 32, who spent seven days with his family on the island in December, said Taiwan is always on his list of places to visit.

“If the claim process for the vouchers is simple, I would definitely be swayed by the incentives,” said the businessman, who stayed at a resort in Hsinchu during his last trip.

Mr Joseph Cheng, director of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s Singapore office, said on Monday that tourism receipts in 2023 have been encouraging.

“The number of tourists to Taiwan in January and February has exceeded 50 per cent of the same period in 2019, so the overall situation is good,” he told The Straits Times.

He added that the bureau was aiming for around 230,000 visitors from Singapore in 2023, about half of 2019’s numbers.

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How to win Taiwan travel prizes: Guide to Taiwan Lucky Land Campaign

taiwan tourist lotto

Have you heard the news yet? Taiwan is giving out travel prizes to 500,000 lucky international travellers! If you are visiting Taiwan from May 1st to June 30th 2025, you are in luck and you can win NT$5,000 (approximately SGD$210) of travel incentives! This amazing campaign is called “Taiwan – the Lucky Land 遊台灣金福氣” and it is generously organised by Taiwan Tourism Administration.

I am so excited about visiting Taiwan again in 2023 so in true #auntiewendy spirit, I have looked through Taiwan – The Lucky Land website and Taiwan Tourism Administration Singapore’s announcements and put together this quick guide to the Taiwan The Lucky Land giveaway. Hope you will win Taiwan freebies while enjoying Taiwan!

taiwan tourist lotto

Table of Contents

What is Taiwan – The Lucky Land campaign?

Taiwan – The Lucky Land is a travel incentive campaign for foreign international travellers who are visiting Taiwan from May 1st to June 30th 2025. As part of the campaign to welcome travellers to Taiwan, Taiwan is giving out travel prizes (NT$5,000) to 500,000 lucky travellers.

taiwan tourist lotto

Who is eligible?

You are eligible to take part in the giveaway if:

  • You are a foreign independent traveler who does not a Taiwan (Republic of China ROC) passport.
  • You are staying in Taiwan between 3 to 90 days.  
  • You are an independent traveler and you are not part of any tour groups and you are not applying for any group-related Taiwan travel incentives.

What are the prizes?

You can win one of the three types of prizes worth NT$5,000!  The NT$5,000 prizes are provided either in the form of a pre-paid (E-ticket) card or a set of accommodation vouchers. These prizes are valid for up to 90 days after issuance.

1. Prepaid e-ticket cards

If you win this, you can receive a prepaid e-ticket card! Lucky draw winner can choose either an EasyCard or an iPASS card or an iCash 2.0 card that comes with a stored value of NT $5,000.

taiwan tourist lotto

Important notes about using the free value cards

  • You can use the card to make payment for transportation (like train and buses) and at stores and attractions that accept the card.
  • Each payment (or each time you tap the card) is capped at NT$1,500.
  • The total spending usage per day cannot exceed NT $3,000.
  • The validity period for the e-ticket card is 90 days. The first batch of limited-edition e-ticket cards can be used until Dec 31, 2023.
  • The e-ticket card cannot be otherwise topped up, refunded, or returned. All unused stored value of the card will be returned to Taiwan Tourism Administration.
  • If the card is lost, stolen or destroyed, the cardholder may not request a replacement or reissuance. So don’t lose your card!

What are EasyCard, iPass card, and iCash 2.0 card?

EasyCard (悠遊卡), iPASS card (一卡通), and iCash 2.0 card (旅游卡) are contactless smart cards (also called integrated circuit IC card). They have similar functions and the main difference is that they are issued by different companies. You can use them for transportation and shopping. Many shops like convenience stores, bubble tea stores, shopping malls, restaurants, and also many tourist attractions accept both cards. I have both cards and they are super convenient! Tap and go!

  • About EasyCard and how you can use it
  • About iPASS card and how you can use it
  • About iCash 2.0 card and how you can use it

2. Accommodation Vouchers

If you win this, you will receive 5 vouchers of NT$1,000 each. The vouchers can be used at the participating hotels or bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) listed on Taiwan – The Lucky Land website .

I looked through the comprehensive list of hotels and B&Bs and there are over 400 accommodation options! You can choose from luxurious hotels in Taipei like Regent Taipei and Silks Place Yilan , affordable hotels like Holiday Inn Express, and a wide range of B&Bs and hostels.

Important notes about using accommodation vouchers

  • 5 vouchers of NT$1,000 each are issued to the winner and can only be used by the winner.
  • Each voucher can be used once and no change or resale is allowed.
  • The voucher is applicable to partner tourist hotels and B&Bs in Taiwan that have obtained a tourist hotel license or a registration certificate in accordance with these regulations.
  • 90 days starting from the day the travel prize is claimed and collected.
  • Make sure you register with your personal information correctly! When registering for the lucky draw, the traveler is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of the information that they supply. If a traveler is unable to participate in the event or collect a prize due to any errors, this shall be the responsibility of the traveler and not the event organizer.

 There are two ways to redeem the vouchers:

  • You can use the vouchers for hotels and B&Bs that accept reservations either through a) in-house channels or b) a third party, such as Agoda or a travel agency.
  • If a reservation is made via a hotel’s official in-house channel (such as its website or by email/telephone/Line), you can pay the agreed-upon amount upon arrival using the accommodation vouchers.
  • Take note! If a reservation is made via a third-party service, any discounts involved shall not be accepted by the hotel, and you must pay the “full price” as charged by the hotel. Payment must be made upon arrival using the accommodation vouchers. (Thus, the room fee may be higher than that indicated when the reservation was made.) Full payment of any outstanding amount must be made upon arrival using the accommodation vouchers

  Category 2

  • You can use the vouchers for hotels and B&Bs that only accept reservations through official in-house channels, such as via the hotel’s website.
  • For these hotels and B&Bs, vouchers will not be accepted for booking made via a third party, such as Agoda.
  • When a reservation is made through a hotel’s official in-house channel, you pay the agreed-upon rate upon arrival and can use the accommodation vouchers to make all or part of this payment.

How to participate?

taiwan tourist lotto

How can you join the Taiwan giveaway campaign? I have studied the website diligently and won a prize. Well, technically, I did not win a prize but my travel companion won so we shared the prize! Read a summary of the steps and check our our winning video below.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by whywendywrites | Travel Writer, Blogger, Content Creator (@whywendywrites)

taiwan tourist lotto

Step 1 – Before you arrive in Taiwan

  • If you are eligible, go to the Taiwan The Lucky Land website and register here .
  • You must register at least 1 to 7 days before the scheduled arrival date in Taiwan.
  • During registration, you have to provide your personal information (including name, nationality, passport number, arrival date and flight, departure date, email address) and choose the type of travel prize (e-ticket card or accommodation voucher).
  • The system will automatically send the QR code to your registered email address registered after successful registration.
  • Save the QR codes in your phone or print them out so you can scan them easily when you arrive in Taiwan.
  • You can check your registration information on the website .  

Step 2 – When you arrive in Taiwan

  • After arriving in Taiwan, look for the the lucky draw and prize redemption areas in the airport Arrivals Hall. Airports include: Taoyuan International Airport (Terminal 1 and 2), Songshan International Airport, Taichung International Airport and Kaohsiung International Airport. See the website for directions to the lucky draw and prize redemption areas.
  • The lucky draw and prize redemption areas are very easy to spot. See the Taoyuan International Airport lucky draw areas in the photos below!
  • The opening hours of the lucky draw and prize redemption areas depends on the arrival time of each flight at each airport. As a rule, you can enter the lucky draw and redeem your prize within 2 hours after the arrival of the last flight scheduled for that day.

Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1

taiwan tourist lotto

Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2

taiwan tourist lotto

  • Head to the kiosks and scan QR code obtained from the campaign registration to participate in the “Taiwan the Lucky Land” lucky draw.
  • After scanning the QR code, you will be able to enter the lucky draw page, press on the falling lucky coins on the IPad lottery screen, and try your luck right away.

taiwan tourist lotto

  • If the lottery screen shows that you have won a prize, please present your passport and relevant supporting documents (including entry stamp, boarding pass, and electronic round-trip air ticket) to the staff at the prize redemption area.

taiwan tourist lotto

  • You will then sign to confirm receipt and collect your prize. The type of prize you receive will be that which you requested at the time of registration. This cannot be changed once it has been entered into the system.
  • The lucky draw and prize redemption can only be completed on the day of arrival in Taiwan.
Take note! The campaign starts with any flight from the scheduled flight arrival time in Taiwan at 12:00 noon on May 1, 2023 (registration will be open from 12:00 noon on April 28, 2023) to June 30, 2025. However, travel prizes will not be issued once the 500,000 quota for the year is exhausted. It’s first come, first served! So book your trip to Taiwan now!

Still have questions? Check out the Taiwan The Lucky Land website for a comprehensive list of FAQs. Taiwan Tourism Bureau Singapore has also provided very helpful tips so I have extracted the information from their Facebook page .

Q: Where to register for the Lucky Draw?

A: https://5000.taiwan.net.tw/

Q: What are the details or documents needed to register for the Lucky Draw?

A: Full Name as per passport, Passport Number, Flight Number, Date of Arrival and Departure, valid email address to receive the QR code.

Q: Can I register for the Lucky Draw a month prior to my departure date?

A: Registration MUST be made at least 1 to 7 days before the scheduled arrival date in Taiwan.

Q: What is the duration of the Travel Incentive Lucky Draw Campaign?

A: The campaign start from 1st of May 2023 (1200 UTC+8) to 30th of June 2025 (2359 UTC+8)

Q: What is the prize for the Travel Incentive Lucky Draw?

A: Prepaid e-ticket (EasyCard / iPass) OR Accommodation Vouchers worth NT$5000. See above for more information.

Q: Is the Lucky Draw available at all airports in Taiwan or only restricted to Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)?

A: The Lucky Draw is available at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) – Terminal 1 & 2, Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), Taichung International Airport (RMQ) and Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH).

Q: Can I have a lucky draw before arrival in Taiwan so I can try my luck to win the accommodation vouchers to book for my accommodation before departing to Taiwan?

A: No. You must complete the lucky draw on the day you arrive in Taiwan.

Q: My flight arrival on 1st of May 2023 (9am), can I participate for the Lucky Draw?

A: The Travel Incentive Lucky Draw campaign kickstart on or after 12 noon on 1st of May 2023.

Q: Any age limitation to register for the Lucky Draw? Can I register for my children under 5 years old?

A: No age limit on participation.

Q: I have missed the Lucky Draw on the day of arrival in Taiwan, can I return to the airport next day to complete the Lucky Draw?

A: No. You MUST complete the Lucky Draw at the airport arrival hall on the day you arrive in Taiwan. The QR code only valid for the date of your arrival in Taiwan.

Q: Can I exchange the prize for cash?

A: The prize is strictly non-transferable and exchangeable for cash.

Q: Can I choose the prize?

A: Yes. You may choose a prepaid e-ticket (EasyCard / iPass) or Accommodation Vouchers during registration on the website.

Q: Where to spend the prepaid amount on EasyCard/iPass?

A: Public transport or any stores in Taiwan that accept EasyCard / iPass for small-value purchases (Not more than NT$1500 per usage and limit to NT$3000 daily)

For more details, please visit:

EasyCard 悠遊卡: https://easycard.com.tw/en/use-range

iPass 一卡通: https://www.i-pass.com.tw/en

icash 2.0:  https://www.icash.com.tw/en_web/useBase.html 

Q: I’m having a stopover in Taiwan for 48 hours, can I register for the Lucky Draw?

A: No. The Lucky Draw is open for any foreign travellers that visit Taiwan from 3 to 90 days.

Q: I’m a Taiwanese travelling back to Taiwan, can I participate in the Lucky Draw?

A: The Lucky Draw is open for independent foreign visitors (non-ROC passport holders) only.

Q: I’m traveling to Taiwan with a tour agency, can I participate?

A: The lucky draw is open for free & easy independent travellers (FIT) to Taiwan. However, you may check with your tour agency for the tour group incentive.

Q: How many times can I participate? If I travel to Taiwan twice this year, can I register for the Lucky Draw twice?

A: Yes, no limitation on participation. One participation per arrival in Taiwan.

Q: My friend couldn’t make it to Taiwan, can I complete his Lucky Draw on behalf by using the QR code that he received when I arrive in Taiwan?

A: No. Participation and prize are non-transferable and not exchangeable.

Q: The accommodation vouchers can be used for any hotel or BnB (minus) in Taiwan?

A: Accommodation vouchers can only be used at the participating hotels with a valid tourist hotel business licenses, or homestays/ BnB/ minsu that obtained a valid registration certificates. Please refer to the campaign website https://5000.taiwan.net.tw for the list of participating accommodations.

Q: How does it work if we have booked the accommodation prior to arrival in Taiwan and we have won the accommodation voucher?

A: You can select prepaid e-ticket (EasyCard / iPass) or Accommodation Voucher during the registration on the website. If you have booked the accommodation, you may want to select prepaid e-ticket (EasyCard / iPass) or you may only book the accommodation for the first few nights and if you selected and strike lucky for accommodation voucher, you may use the accommodation vouchers on the subsequent stay in the participating accommodation.

Q: We are traveling as a family of 4 and chosen accommodation vouchers as a prize for he lucky draw, if 4 of us strike lucky, can we offset our hotel booking by combining 4 sets of vouchers?

A: Accommodation vouchers are non-transferable and can only be used by the person whose details are booked for the accommodation.

For example, Maya and Maverick both won the accommodation vouchers. However, the hotel room is booked in the name of Maverick, they can only offset the amount from the accommodation vouchers won by Maverick.

Q: I have won the accommodation vouchers but I have booked the accommodation before departing Taiwan. However, the accommodation is in the list of participating accommodation, can I exchange the Accommodation Vouchers with anything that I can spend in the accommodation, for instance, room upgrade or F&B voucher?

A: You may refer to the campaign website or contact the participating hotel for more information.

Q: What if I have a flight delayed and I couldn’t arrive on the registered date, can I still participate for the Lucky Draw when I arrive in the Taiwan airport? Or do I have to register again and obtains a new QR code when I arrive in Taiwan airport?

A: You may register again on the website 1 to 7 days before your arrival to Taiwan. For more details, kindly contact Taiwan Tourism Bureau via the contact form in the campaign website.

Q: I’ve filled in wrong information when register on the website, what can I do?

A: You may register again 1 to 7 days before your arrival to Taiwan.

Q: The Lucky Draw Booth in the airport will be opened for 24/7?

A: Not 24/7, the lucky draw booth will be opened based on scheduled flights’ arrival time.

Check Taiwan The Lucky Land website and Taiwan Tourism Bureau Singapore Facebook page for the most updated information!

Want to enjoy more savings for your Taiwan holiday? Check out my #auntiewendy Taiwan travel guides to plan a free and easy vacation!

Bonus : Use my special Klook promo code WENDY5OFF to enjoy 5% any Klook purchases (no min. spend; capped at USD $10).

I strongly believe in empowering travellers to know better, travel better! I value privacy and transparency. The article contains affiliate links so I may be compensated to run the website and continue to create content if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you.

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KKday Blog

Taiwan is Giving Away Travel Vouchers to 500,000 Lucky Foreign Tourists Starting May 1

May 2, 2023 May 5, 2023 by Tin V

taiwan tourist lotto

Your trip to Taiwan just got even better!

Are you excited to visit Taiwan this 2023? As you should– Taiwan Tourism Bureau is giving away travel vouchers worth NT$5,000 to individual travelers coming to Taiwan starting May 1!

taiwan tourist lotto

Through the “Taiwan the Lucky Land” promo, the Taiwan Government hopes to attract more international travelers to visit Taiwan, with a goal of having 6 million visitors this year. A total of 500,000 individual tourists will have the chance to win exciting vouchers via a raffle draw. The said promo will last until June 30, 2025. 

Want to know to be one of the lucky tourists? Here’s how.

How to join the Taiwan voucher giveaway

Step 1: Login and register via the campaign website at least one to seven days before your arrival in Taiwan. Step 2: Check your inbox using the email address you used to register. Step 3: Get your QR code via email and screenshot or save it. Step 4: Upon arrival in Taiwan, head to the event station at the arrival hall and scan your QR code. Step 5: Redeem your vouchers if you’re one of the lucky winners! 

If you’ve won, present your passport with an entry stamp, boarding pass, and roundtrip e-ticket to sign and collect the prize on the spot.

taiwan tourist lotto

Eligibility

To join the voucher giveaway, you must be:

  • A foreign passport holder;
  • An individual traveler (group tourists are excluded from this promo); and
  • Staying in Taiwan for three up to 90 days

How to use the prize

Winning travelers will have two choices on how they can make use of their prize:

Option 1: as an Electronic ticket

You can either get an EasyCard or an All-in-one card to be used in participating stores. The single-use limit is NT$1,500 with a daily limit of NT$3,000.

Option 2: as accommodation discount coupons

Winners will be given 5 coupons worth 1,000 yuan that they can use in registered hotels or homestays in Taiwan. See the full list here. Coupons may only be used once, and are non-transferrable and non-convertible. 

The travel voucher giveaway starts on May 1, from 12 noon to June 30, 2025. Note that the lucky draw and prize redemption must be done on your arrival day in Taiwan. The giveaway is open in Taoyuan International Airport Terminals 1 and 2, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport. 

taiwan tourist lotto

For more information about the Taiwan The Lucky Land promo, visit their official website here .  What are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Taiwan now and get a chance to win this exciting giveaway!

Also, make your Taiwan travel this 2023 memorable and hassle-free with essentials you can easily book via KKDay !

taiwan tourist lotto

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PSA: You Can Win NT$5000 When You Travel to Taiwan

Free pocket money or accommodations. by Ina Louise Manto | August 10, 2023

In case you missed it, Taiwan extended its visa-free entry for Filipino tourists until 2024. If that isn’t a sign to visit yet, foreign tourists also have a chance to win NT$5000 through Taiwan the Lucky Land Promo. Here’s everything you need to know about it:

Thousands to give away to tourists

To attract tourists, Taiwan Tourism Board launched Taiwan the Lucky Land Promo, which will give 500,000 tourists the chance to win NT$5000 (approximately PHP8,856) when they visit the country. The campaign, which started in May 1, 2023, will run until June 30, 2025, with up to 250,000 winners allotted for 2023.

There will be 150,000 winners in 2024, and the remaining 100,000 winners will be awarded in 2025.

Who can join the promo?

Taiwan the Lucky Land is open to foreign tourists staying in Taiwan for at least three days and up to 90 days.

Participants must not be members of group tours or have plans to apply to group-related ROC travel incentives.

What are the prizes?

If you’re lucky enough to win, you’ll be given two options:

  • Pre-paid E-ticket cards – choose an EasyCard or iPASS , which you can use at affiliated stores in Taiwan. The former has a maximum single-use limit of NT$1,000 while the latter has a maximum of NT$1,000.
  • Accommodation vouchers – each voucher is worth NT$1,000. It is non-transferable and can only be used by the winner. You can use these vouchers in partner hotels and B&BS.

See the list of paper vouchers here and electronic vouchers here .

How do I join the promo?

You may register at the official website one to seven days before your arrival in Taiwan. You’ll be asked to provide the following information:

Website screenshot

Don’t forget to input your preferred travel prize option!

After successful registration, you will receive a QR code, which will be scanned at the airport.

Prize Draw and Redemption

There are kiosks in these airports in Taiwan, where your QR code will be scanned:

  • Taoyuan International Airport
  • Songshan International Airport
  • Taichung International Airport
  • Kaohsiung International Airport

Find the exact locations of these kiosks here .

If you win, present the following:

  • Supporting documents such as your boarding pass or electronic round-trip tickets

For more information regarding the promo, visit this FAQ page .

BOOKMARK: 11 Must-Visit Taiwan Tourist Attractions in 2023 BOOKMARK: 11 Must-Visit Taiwan Tourist Attractions in 2023 Ina Louise Manto | Feb 27, 2023

Looking for other places to explore? Join WindowSeat.ph’s official Facebook community What’s Your Trip PH for more recos!

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When she’s not writing, Ina’s busy curating playlists that will save her when words don’t work, reading, annoying her cat, or thinking of her next meal.

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Period: 12 pm on May 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025 The event times below are based on Taiwan local time (UTC/GMT +08:00)

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China’s Dispute With Taiwan Is Playing Out Near This Frontline Island

A fatal episode off Kinmen, a Taiwanese-controlled island, has become the latest occasion for Beijing to warn and test Taiwan’s president-elect.

Anti-tank obstacles installed along a sandy beach. Across a body of water, the lights from a city in the background illuminate the night sky.

By Chris Buckley and Amy Chang Chien

Reporting from Kinmen, Taiwan

A small island controlled by Taiwan a few miles off China’s coast lived for decades in constant readiness for war. At one point in 1958, troops there hunkered in bunkers as Communist forces rained hundreds of thousands of shells on them.

These days, the island, Kinmen, has become a hub of Taiwan’s commerce with China and its abandoned, weatherworn fortifications are tourist sites. Eight ferries a day take Taiwanese businesspeople and visitors from Kinmen to mainland China.

But the sea around Kinmen has again turned tense after two Chinese men onboard a speedboat died in the area last month while trying to flee a Taiwanese Coast Guard vessel.

The Chinese Coast Guard has responded by patrolling close to the island, and briefly boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat last month. In mid-March, four boats came as close as 3.5 miles off Kinmen’s shore , entering what Taiwan calls a prohibited zone.

China has said the patrols are to protect Chinese fishing boats. But the patrols also fit more broadly with China’s strategy of squeezing Taiwan, an island-democracy that Beijing claims as its territory, while stopping short of setting off a major confrontation that would draw in the United States.

Beijing has been stepping up such “gray zone” tactics to warn Taiwan’s president-elect , Lai Ching-te — a politician deeply disliked by Chinese leaders — as he prepares to take office in two months, experts, politicians and officials in Taiwan said in interviews and briefings.

“With Lai Ching-te’s inauguration on May 20, mainland China is definitely going to steadily, consistently raise the pressure,” said Chen Yu-jen , a member of Taiwan’s legislature from the opposition Nationalist Party who represents an electorate on Kinmen, in an interview with The New York Times.

Beijing asserts that Taiwan must accept unification, preferably peacefully, but under armed force if Chinese leaders decide that is necessary. Mr. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party rejects China’s claim to Taiwan, and argues that the island-democracy will chart its own course — self-ruling in practice, even if most governments do not recognize Taiwan as a separate state.

Some pushback from China over the deaths of the two Chinese men on Feb. 14 near Kinmen was foreseeable, especially given that Taiwan is always kindling for nationalist ire. Chinese officials are now waiting for a report from Taiwanese investigators into the episode; tensions could climb if Beijing disputes their conclusions.

Taiwanese officials have said that the unlicensed Chinese speedboat entered Taiwanese waters near Kinmen, ignored demands from a Taiwanese Coast Guard vessel to stop, and tried to race away. Taiwanese officials have said the two men who died had drowned . Two Chinese survivors told Chinese media that the Taiwanese vessel collided with them, while the Taiwanese Coast Guard said the two boats “made contact” at times during the chase.

The Chinese government has made demands on behalf of the dead men’s families, including for an apology and compensation. Chinese officials have complained that the Taiwanese Coast Guard vessel did not take video of the encounter, and accused Taiwan of dragging its feet in its investigation.

Incursions of Chinese fishing boats and smugglers around Kinmen have long been a source of friction. Chinese fishing boats are supposed to stay out of Taiwan’s zone around Kinmen and smaller nearby islands, but for years some flouted the restrictions, said Tung Sen-pao, a local councilor on the island.

“They came over here to fish with explosives, electric lines, gill nets, a lot of that kind of thing,” he said. Chinese dredgers, he added, also often stole sand, which can be sold to make concrete.

More recently, tougher enforcement by the Taiwanese Coast Guard, which has seized and impounded intruding Chinese vessels, helped reduce the violations, Taiwanese officials said.

In less tense times, local representatives on Kinmen and in the Chinese province of Fujian, on the other side of the strait, might have been able to quickly settle disputes such as that of the recent deaths. But mutual distrust between China and Taiwan is running high, and Beijing is especially touchy ahead of Mr. Lai’s inauguration.

Chinese officials have also sought to use the episode for political points and to undermine Taiwan’s boundaries. They have denied that Taiwan has a right to restrict access to waters off Kinmen, despite longstanding arrangements on that point. And Chinese Communist Party officials and news outlets have tied the deaths to Mr. Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party’s resistance to China.

The Chinese government’s Taiwan Affairs Office accused Democratic Progressive Party politicians of callousness and of “trying to shirk responsibility,” in a statement justifying the latest Chinese Coast Guard patrols off Kinmen. It warned that China reserved the right to respond further.

The Chinese Coast Guard service is under military control , and its ships can carry cannons and other weapons. Beijing has also been deploying them in territorial disputes with Japan and the Philippines . Chinese media publicized last week that the coast guard had also recently participated in training with naval ships under the Eastern Theater Command — the military area that encompasses Taiwan.

Lee Wen-chi, a Kinmen fisherman who had returned to shore on a recent day with two buckets of sea bass, said that he and other fisherman kept well away from the Chinese Coast Guard ships, moving on if they spotted one in the distance.

“If you get too close to them, they’ll think that you’re up to no good,” he said. “I avoid them as much as I can.”

These days, Taiwan stations only a few thousand troops on Kinmen, giving Kinmen little immediate protection if China ever decided to invade. Taiwan’s fisheries agency announced that troops would hold live-fire drills in the waters off Kinmen, next month . Such drills happen every year, but China may regard the latest ones as a provocation.

Before the Kinmen incident, the Chinese government had already signaled that it would pounce on perceived missteps or provocations by Mr. Lai, who also goes by the name William Lai. Beijing had hoped that he would lose Taiwan’s election in January, ending the Democratic Progressive Party’s eight-year hold on power under the current president, Tsai Ing-wen.

China has warned that it could suspend tariff concessions for some products from Taiwan, including auto parts. Two days after Mr. Lai’s victory, China arranged for Nauru — a tiny Pacific island-state that was one of the dozen or so countries that retain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan — to shift ties to Beijing. Then China unilaterally altered a commercial air flight route over the Taiwan Strait, a step that officials in Taipei said could make flying in the area more risky.

China has also continued to deploy fighter jets and other military planes near Taiwan almost daily. Larger, more menacing military actions are possible, especially after Mr. Lai’s inauguration.

“They are probing here and there to push the boundaries and create a new normal,” said I-Chung Lai , the president of the Prospect Foundation, a Taiwanese think thank aligned with the Democratic Progressive Party. Any conciliatory messages in Mr. Lai’s inauguration speech were unlikely to shift China’s strategy, he added: “The gray zone operations against Taiwan will become more intense, regardless of what William Lai says.”

Still, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, may not want to push those actions to the point of setting off a full-blown crisis.

Beijing has other ways of politically undermining Mr. Lai and has pointed to his share of votes — 40 percent — to assert that he does not represent Taiwan’s mainstream views. Mr. Xi also has his eye on the United States’ presidential election in November and probably won’t make any big decisions over Taiwan before then, several experts say. And with China’s economy in such poor shape, Mr. Xi would probably rather avoid a major confrontation that could unnerve investors.

“President Xi has a lot of problems that he’s dealing with at home, and if you look back to other episodes when China has dealt with a lot of domestic challenges, they typically have sought to calm their external environment,” said Ryan Hass , the director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution.

Chris Buckley , the chief China correspondent for The Times, reports on China and Taiwan from Taipei, focused on politics, social change and security and military issues. More about Chris Buckley

Amy Chang Chien is a reporter and researcher for The Times in Taipei, covering Taiwan and China. More about Amy Chang Chien

For many Chinese, there are ‘more important things’ than Taiwan unification

Beijing has not ruled out using force to annex Taiwan, but there is little appetite for war among Chinese people.

A group of Chinese people take a photo in front of a sign in Xiamen reading 'One country, two systems, unify China'. The words are written in large red Chinese characters.

“It is difficult to imagine that this used to be a warzone,” 23-year-old *Shao Hongtian told Al Jazeera as he wandered along a beach near the city of Xiamen on China’s southeast coast.

Halting by the water’s edge where gentle waves lapped against the sand, Shao gestured beyond the shallows towards the sea and the Kinmen archipelago – now peaceful, but in the 1940s and 1950s, a battleground.

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The communists won the Chinese Civil War in 1949, and the nationalists of the Kuomintang (KMT) fled Beijing for the island of Taiwan. It was on Kinmen, the main island of the archipelago of the same name, less than 10km (6.2 miles) from the coast of China, that the nationalists repulsed repeated communist invasion attempts, but not before the fighting had wreaked havoc on both Xiamen and Kinmen.

Kinmen and its outlying islets – some of which lie even closer to the Chinese coast – have been a part of Taiwan’s territory ever since.

Chinese citizens like Shao were once able to get tourist visas to visit the islands, but that ended with the pandemic.

“Kinmen, China and Taiwan are all part of the same nation, so it should be possible to visit, and I hope I can visit one day,” Shao said over a video connection – his eyes fixed on Kinmen.

Like Shao, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claim that Taiwan and its territory are part of China.

A child looks out at the skyscrapers of Xiamen from the beach on Kinmen. The beach is sandy and the sky is blue.

Xi said in his New Year’s address that China’s unification with democratic Taiwan was an “ historical inevitability “, and China has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification. Last year Xi called on China’s armed forces to strengthen their combat readiness.

In recent years the Chinese military has increased its pressure on Taiwan with almost daily airborne and maritime incursions close to Taiwan’s air and sea space. At times of particular tension, such as during the visit of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei, such manoeuvres have been accompanied by sabre-rattling rhetoric and large-scale military drills.

Capsized boats, recriminations

Recently, tensions have been rising near Kinmen as well.

In February, two Chinese fishermen were killed when their speedboat capsized as they attempted to flee the Taiwanese coastguard when they were discovered fishing “within prohibited waters” about one nautical mile (1.8km) from the Kinmen archipelago.

Since then, the Chinese coastguard has stepped up its activities around Kinmen.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Chinese government’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said the February incident was “vicious” and stressed the waters were “traditional” fishing grounds for fishermen in China and Taiwan. There were no off-limits waters around Kinmen, she added.

A second capsize was reported on Thursday, and on this occasion China asked for help from the Taiwan coastguard.

Standing on the beach looking out towards Kinmen, Shao says hostilities are not the way to bring China and Taiwan together.

“I want unification to happen peacefully,” he said.

If that is not possible, he would prefer things to remain as they are.

A Taiwan soidier kneeling by the graves of those who died defending Kinmen against China. The grtaves have small Taiwan flags

He knows that many of his friends feel the same way. According to Shao, if they go to Kinmen and Taiwan, it should be as visitors, not as fighters.

“The Taiwanese haven’t done anything bad to us, so why should we go there to fight them?” he said, convinced that any war between China and Taiwan would result in significant casualties on both sides. “Unification with Taiwan is not worth a war.”

No appetite for war

A study published by the University of California San Diego’s 21st Century China Center last year suggests that Shao and his friends are not alone in opposing a war over Taiwan.

The study explored Chinese public support for different policy steps regarding unification with Taiwan and found that launching a full-scale war to achieve unification was viewed as unacceptable by a third of the Chinese respondents.

Only one percent rejected all other options but war, challenging the Chinese government’s assertion that the Chinese people were willing to “go to any length and pay any price” to achieve unification.

Mia Wei, a 26-year-old marketing specialist from Shanghai is not surprised by such results.

“Ordinary Chinese people are not pushing the government to get unification,” she told Al Jazeera.

“It is the government that pushes people to believe that there must be unification.”

At the same time, support for a unification war turned out to be close to the same level found in similar studies from earlier years, indicating that despite the growing tension in the Taiwan Strait and renewed talk about taking control of Taiwan, there has not been a corresponding increase in support for more forceful measures.

Wei believes that Chinese like herself are more concerned with developments inside their country.

“First there was COVID, then the economy got bad and then the housing market got even worse,” she said. “I think Chinese people have their minds on more important things than unification with Taiwan.”

According to Associate Professor Yao-Yuan Yeh who teaches Chinese Studies at the University of St Thomas in the United States, there is currently little reason for Chinese people to be more supportive of conflict with Taiwan.

US President Joe Biden has on several occasions said  the US will defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. At the same time, the US has been strengthening its military ties with countries such as Japan and the Philippines – Taiwan’s immediate neighbours to the north and the south.

“There is no guarantee of a quick victory in a war over Taiwan,” Yeh told Al Jazeera.

“Also, many people in China have business partners, friends and family in Taiwan, and therefore don’t want to see any harm come to the island and its people.”

The study also showed that young Chinese were more averse towards forceful policy measures than earlier generations.

“Young people are usually among the first to be sent to the battlefield so naturally they are more opposed to war,” Yeh said.

Shao from Xiamen thinks that any hope of victory in a war over Taiwan and its partners will require the mobilisation of a lot of young people like him.

“And I think many young people in China [will] refuse to die in an attack on Taiwan.”

Not an issue for debate

Regardless of what Chinese people might think, unifying Taiwan with the mainland will remain a cornerstone of the CCP’s narrative, according to Eric Chan who is a senior fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute in Washington, DC.

“Unification is not a topic that is up for any sort of debate with the general public,” he told Al Jazeera.

A Chinese guided missile destroyer moored in Xiamen. In the foreground, a man is fishing from a small boat.

Although the Chinese leadership often claims that China is a democratic country where the party is guided by the will of the Chinese people, there are no regular national elections or free media while online discourse is restricted and regularly censored. Speaking out against the CCP can also result in criminal convictions.

Since Xi became president in 2012, crackdowns on civil liberties have intensified, and Xi has centralised power around himself to a degree unprecedented since the rule of Mao Zedong – the man who led the communists to victory against the nationalists and became communist China’s first leader.

During Mao’s rule, reforms and purges of Chinese society led to the deaths of millions of Chinese people, while upwards of 400,000 Chinese soldiers died as a result of his decision to enter the 1950-1953 Korean War on North Korea’s side.

But according to Chan, the days when a Chinese leader could expend tens of thousands of lives in such a manner are over.

Recent government actions that exacted a heavy toll on citizens led to public pushback, and Xi did not appear immune.

During the COVID pandemic, Xi ardently defended the country’s zero-COVID policy even though its mass testing and strict lockdowns had dire socioeconomic consequences . The government eventually abandoned the policy as the economy sank, and people took to the streets across China’s major cities demanding an end to the lockdowns, even calling for Xi to step down.

As for war, the circumstances are also different. Unlike, for example, the Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979, a battle for Taiwan would be existential for the communist party and Xi, according to Chan.

“The party (CCP) would not have been threatened by a loss or high casualties in those wars,” he said.

Today, Xi would need to assume that those types of losses would be unacceptable to the Chinese people, he added.

Public outrage over a long unification war that might even end in a Chinese defeat could, in Chan’s view, endanger the party’s rule.

Mindful of the mood of the Chinese people, Chan sees the CCP instead continuing to engage in low-cost grey zone operations against Taiwan while developing a Chinese military that would be able to score a swift victory.

For Shao, however, any attempt to settle the issue through conflict would be a disaster.

“I don’t think it will end well for anyone – not for those that have to fight it and not for the government that starts it,” he said.

*Shao’s name has been changed to respect his wish for anonymity given the sensitivity of the topic.

Why are Taiwan’s 7-Elevens so much better than ours?

The author's uncle at work at 7-Eleven in Taichung, Taiwan.

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When I visit my family in Taichung, Taiwan, I’ve learned to never ask where we are going, because the answer is always the same: first, 7-Eleven.

Going to Taiwan has always meant going to 7-Eleven. My uncle runs a few stores in Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city, and it’s often our first stop after the airport.

When I visited last month, I learned 7-Eleven aphorisms abound in Taiwan. One goes like this: The Taiwanese people could live without their government, but they could not live without 7-Eleven.

The store looms so large in Taiwanese life that it might as well be a government agency. At any 7-Eleven, you can pay your taxes, ship or pick up packages, drop off your laundry, check your blood pressure, return library books, send faxes, buy rail and plane tickets, purchase internet access and, as a bonus, use the receipts for everything to play a lottery.

At one point, 30% of Taiwan’s driver’s license renewals took place at a 7-Eleven, according to a 2011 case study from National Chengchi University.

There are more convenience stores per capita in Taiwan than anywhere else in the world, one for every 1,582 people, according to a 2021 study by a Japanese consumer research firm. Chains such as 7-Eleven, Hi-Life and Family Mart cluster so thickly on Taipei’s packed streets that many locations are within eyeshot of each other, often sharing a wall with a competitor.

About half of my extended family on my dad’s side works in a 7-Eleven store, except for my cousin, who was poached by 7-Eleven’s main competitor, Family Mart. We go for breakfast, beverages before and after meals and for dessert, often multiple times in a single day. When we pose for photos, my uncle likes to tell us to make the “seven” sign with our hands.

One year the sides for our Lunar New Year dinner came from 7-Eleven, prepackaged in containers ready to microwave. Same for the fruit to set at my grandpa and grandma’s altar, as well as the joss paper to burn for their good fortune. Honoring our ancestors should be convenient. Surely they wouldn’t want us to waste time.

The author's aunt at work at 7-Eleven in Taichung, Taiwan.

It’s a far cry from 7-Elevens in the United States, which reliably supply spare phone chargers, drinks or toiletries but are not known for much else. During busy, difficult periods of my life, I used to order something called a buffalo chicken roller, a log of breaded, extruded ground chicken in a menacing shade of red.

The story of 7-Eleven in Taiwan is often told as an example of Asian entrepreneurial spirit and logistical ingenuity. Taiwan built a convenience store model that captured the frenetic energy of the booming economy and became essential to nearly every aspect of life. But I would argue that a full accounting of its influences shows the chain’s modern innovations were a collaborative effort that couldn’t have existed without friendly, productive relationships between globalized economies.

7-Eleven began as a chain of Texas ice stores run by the Southland Corp. in 1927, originally called “Tote’m Stores,” which referred to the Native American-themed totems used to draw customers, according to the company’s website. Founder Joe C. Thompson realized that his far-flung ice stores served customers in need of basic groceries, and he started offering staples such as bread, milk and eggs, creating the nation’s first convenience stores.

Driven by sales of Slurpees and Big Gulps, the chain grew to more than 66,000 stores. But it struggled after the 1987 stock market crash, and in 1990, the company filed for bankruptcy and was sold to 7-Eleven Japan, according to Times archives.

Executives with Uni-President Enterprises Corp., the parent company, decided to create a chain of stores inspired by the clean, brightly lit supermarkets they saw in America and bought a license to the 7-Eleven name in Taiwan.

The innovations produced in the pressure cooker of Taiwan’s industrializing economy were shaped by the unique demands of Taiwanese culture at the time, according to Shih-Fen Chen, a business professor at Western Washington University who has conducted extensive case studies of Taiwanese businesses. He sums up the differences between American and Taiwanese 7-Elevens with another aphorism:

“In the U.S. you don’t need 7-Eleven to have a good life,” Chen said. “In Taiwan you cannot have a good life without 7-Eleven.”

And I would add another layer to 7-Eleven’s origin story. The American grocery stores that Asian business executives admired owe influence to the agricultural and retail innovations of farmers and grocers in Southern California, where some of the nation’s first market chains were born.

And Japanese American food producers and retailers were pioneers in the industry before World War II, according to research by Scott Kurashige, a historian and author of the book “The Shifting Grounds of Race.”

According to Hoji Shinbun, an archive of Japanese American newspapers hosted online by Stanford University, there were more than a thousand Japanese produce markets in Los Angeles in 1940. These shops arranged vegetables by color and condition, and allowed customers to select their own produce. In addition to increasing yields and profits, these early agricultural entrepreneurs pioneered the roadside produce stand, which featured neat, stacked displays of washed produce that allowed customers to select their own fruits.

By the time my uncle started running a 7-Eleven in the 1990s, it bore little resemblance to the ones you see in Los Angeles. The chain’s attempt to imitate Western grocery stores had instead created something uniquely Taiwanese.

When 7-Eleven’s first stores opened in Taiwan in 1979, it was part of a larger societal embrace of American commercial behavior that many saw as a necessary precursor to achieving global competitiveness, Chen said. In a booming economy, people started drinking lots of coffee and working around the clock — and 7-Eleven was there to supply them.

Taiwanese families, my own included, wore Western clothes and listened to the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel. My father came to America because, back then, going to the U.S. was seen as the best way to secure a future for his family.

But the miracle of convenience that is 7-Eleven in Taiwan tells a different story, one that doesn’t belong to a single country. Its blend of Asian convenience and American consumerism could not exist without the free flow of people and ideas across borders and the contributions of immigrants. I would argue that the same is true for most of the world’s best ideas.

Over time, Taiwan’s 7-Eleven stores cut the Slurpee and the Big Gulp and focused on local flavors, creating the store’s signature aroma — a potent blend of tea eggs marinated with cinnamon and star anise, fish cakes and roasted sweet potatoes.

It’s a scent that I once found strange. But now it smells like home.

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WA's integrity watchdog Chris Field spent much of the past two years travelling the world, but did it help WA?

Chris Field and Chen Chu holding a glass plaque together.

For a man tasked with sorting out complaints about the Western Australian public service, the state's 137 local governments and its five universities, Ombudsman Chris Field has been spending a lot of time out of the country.

The Office of the Ombudsman in WA receives thousands of inquiries and complaints a year from members of the public – about 14,000 of them in the 2022-23 financial year alone.

It also deals with highly sensitive issues such as reviewing child deaths and family violence fatalities, and makes recommendations about how to prevent these.

What the job does not entail however, at least according to the 1971 legislation that established the position, is international diplomacy.

Museums and hot springs

There's no mention in the Parliamentary Commissioner Act of any requirement for the Ombudsman to promote WA's interests on the international stage or to uphold global peace and democracy.

No requirement to undertake cultural exchanges with Uzbekistan or Bahrain or Canada.

A man smiles as a woman takes a photo of him on her phone on board a boat on a lake

Which presumably means liaising with the Mediator of the Kingdom of Morocco, meeting the president of the OECD in Paris and inspecting captured Russian military equipment on the streets of Kyiv are also outside the remit.

Yet these are all activities Mr Field has engaged in over the past couple of years.

Chris Field in a blue shirt and pants next to Rebecca Poole, in a white shirt and blue pants outside a temple.

He's also planted trees in Hungary and Pakistan, visited a Slovenian day care centre and a firefighting museum in Austria, and admired the hot springs of Beitou, Taiwan.

Hundreds of dollars were also spent on two chauffer-driven trips in Paris that totalled less than two kilometres.

The thing is, not only is he WA Ombudsman but he was, until very recently, also president of the International Ombudsman's Institute.

WA Ombudsman Chris Field stands in a candle-lit vigil with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This little-known body bills itself as a global organisation that focuses on "good governance" and represents ombudsmen in more than 150 countries.

He was the first ever Australian appointed to lead the Vienna-based body — which at the time drew a letter of congratulations by then-premier Mark McGowan.

But even when he's not travelling the globe, Mr Field isn't present in the WA Ombudsman office very much – just 36 days in 2023 – although he maintains he's in "constant contact by phone and email with all of my staff" while absent.

No conflict in dual roles

Asked about his posts as both WA Ombudsman and International Ombudsman's Institute (IOI) president, Mr Field told a corruption hearing this week he saw no conflict between the dual roles.

"I see them as one and the same thing," he said. "I saw them as utterly complementary and never saw them in conflict."

Mr McGowan seemed to think so too.

“I am sure you will bring a breadth of expertise to the role, while continuing to deliver excellent outcomes to the State of Western Australia,” he wrote in the congratulations letters.

Mark McGowan letter

This issue of wearing two hats is at the nub of why the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) is looking into Mr Field in the first place.

It wants to find out if the Ombudsman acted corruptly in using his position to benefit himself and his chief of staff, who frequently accompanied him on his overseas missions.

It's also looking at whether Mr Field's use of taxpayer funds to pay for the trips — to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year – was for the benefit of WA.

Mr Field insisted it is.

A head and shoulders shot of WA Ombudsman Chris Field walking outside wearing a dark suit, blue tie, white shirt and spectacles.

He's told the hearings he believed being president of the IOI went hand in hand with his duties as WA Ombudsman, a post he was appointed to 17 years ago.

Mr Field also stressed to the anti-corruption body the IOI's own role in exposing corruption, describing it "supporting the rule of law through work on anti-corruption measures, integrity, transparency and good governance."

This week the IOI confirmed Mr Field had quit his post as president, and a new president would be elected.

But its email to the ABC also contained a bombshell.

"In the interests of its members, the IOI feels compelled to clarify that Mr Field's travel activities in question were neither initiated, expected, commissioned nor financed by the IOI," the organisation said.

In other words, the IOI did not ask him to go on all those overseas trips in question and he wasn't required to do so as president.

Yet in defending a tripling of his travel bill last financial year, Mr Field told the hearings: "The 2022-23 visits actually represents what would normally have been undertaken over two years, as there is a certain amount of visits that each Ombudsman is asked, and expected, to undertake during their term as president," he said.

A man holds up a beige jacket

Mr Field had no comment when the ABC sent him the IOI statement.

Government knew of travel

The CCC hearings are not over yet, and Mr Field's high-profile lawyer, former Attorney General Christian Porter, is expected to take the commission through more evidence.

Mr Field has so far based his defence on the fact that the Ombudsman is independent of government, telling the hearings this means he doesn't need to seek the premier's approval for travel.

But at the crux of his argument is that the government was well aware of his travel bill, which has been tabled in Parliament.

A mid shot of WA Ombudsman Chris Field and his lawyer Christian Porter next to a car outside the CCC.

Mr Field said it was only after media reports surfaced late last year, revealing the extent of his international travel, that anyone in government or parliament raised concern about the IOI role detracting from his duties as ombudsman.

Like Mr McGowan had said in the letter Mr Porter tabled before the CCC, becoming president of the IOI was a "great achievement".

The CCC was shown evidence that other ministers and high-ranking public servants knew of and supported Mr Field's IOI role.

The hearings are set to resume in April, with the commission's report due later in the year.

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$58M Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball Jackpot claimed by Richmond man

By Hana Mae Nassar

Posted March 22, 2024 12:11 pm.

Last Updated March 25, 2024 10:08 am.

A Richmond man is $58 million richer, after matching all 10 digits for the March 6 Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball Jackpot.

Hao Ping Chung bought the winning ticket on PlayNow.com. BCLC says the man was “enticed” by the large jackpot and decided to put his luck to the test.

“I was at home when I found out I won. When I logged on to my PlayNow.com account I saw the balance. It didn’t feel real. I tried to withdraw the funds to see if it was actually there,” the lotto winner said Friday.

“It still feels unreal.”

Richmond man Hao Ping Chung is $58-million richer after winning the March 6, 2024, Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball Jackpot.

Chung says he immediately told his parents, asking them to verify his win.

“They asked me if it was a scam,” he said, prompting laughs from a crowd.

The Richmond man describes himself as “just a regular guy.” While he doesn’t have any particular plans for his winnings yet, he says travel, buying his own home, and guitar lessons are in the cards.

“I love fishing … I might consider getting a fishing pole,” he said of additional hobbies.

Chung, who was born in Taiwan, moved to B.C. as a teenager and is a freelancer in the IT industry. He says he has plans to help his family with the life-changing money.

“I told them that I’m going to share with them,” he said.

“I just don’t know how much.”

Winning the mega prize isn’t stopping Chung from trying his luck in the future, saying he might consider buying another lottery ticket again.

Related articles:

  • Winning Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket sold in B.C.
  • Ucluelet, B.C. woman wins $18M Lotto Max jackpot

The Gold Ball Draw is a guaranteed prize draw where players will win either the Guaranteed Prize of $1 million, or the growing Gold Ball Jackpot that starts at $10 million.

“There’s one chance in thirty that it’s a gold ball,” said BCLC COO Dan Beebe. “And that gold ball is accumulated every time the gold ball is not won. So, what happens is, over time that gold ball creeps up. And when the gold ball is drawn on that guaranteed prize win, that’s why you get these big numbers.”

BCLC says Chung is B.C.’s first Gold Ball Jackpot winner. The game was introduced in September 2022.

Lotto 6/49 is drawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays across the country.

Chung’s winning numbers were: 18041531-05.

With files from Kate Walker.

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Money blog: Eight things going up in price next week - and six major boosts to Britons' pockets

National Price Hike Day is on Monday, with water bills, broadband, council tax and the TV licence among the things going up. Read this and more in the Money blog - your place for consumer and personal finance news. Leave a comment on the stories we're covering, or a Money Problem, below.

Tuesday 26 March 2024 07:12, UK

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Ask a question or make a comment

1 April (next Monday) is nicknamed National Price Hike Day, as it's when government bodies and private companies traditionally increase the cost of goods and services ahead of the new financial year.

So what can we expect this year?

TV and broadband

BT, EE, Plusnet and Vodafone customers will be charged 7.9% more from April. These companies pin their prices to December's inflation figure plus 3.9%, which is common practice in the industry.

Virgin Media and O2, which merged in 2021, are upping prices by 8.8%, as they use the retail price index from January plus 3.9%. There are caveats which mean some O2 customers will see prices rise by less than this.

Sky is also implementing price rises, meaning most Sky TV and broadband customers will pay an average of 6.7% more from 1 April.

Council tax

Most people who live in councils with responsibility for social care in England will see their bills rise by the maximum of 4.99%.

In areas where the councils don't oversee social care, the rise for most will be 2.99%.

Birmingham City Council, which has declared effective bankruptcy, has been given permission to hike council tax by 21% over two years due to a black hole caused partly by equal pay claims and a botched IT systems rollout.

Council tax has been frozen by the devolved government in Scotland, while rises in Wales range anywhere from 3% to 21%. Northern Ireland uses a rating system instead of council tax, and rises are also expected here.

The annual cost of a standard colour TV licence will rise to £169.50 from 1 April - an increase of £10.50 on the current price of £159 a year.

Rent for social housing

The CPI rate of inflation in September - 6.7% - is used to determine the yearly rise in rents. 

For 2024-25, the limit will be 6.7% plus an additional 1%.

The average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales will go up by an average of 6% from April . 

Water UK said the increases would leave households with an average annual bill of £473.

Vehicle excise duty will rise on all but the cleanest new and used cars in April.

Increases are generally calculated in line with the RPI rate of inflation and are expected to be about 6%.

Train fares

Rail fares will rise by 8.7% in April for those in Scotland, after the Scottish government argued previous fare freezes were not sustainable. 

For those in England and Wales, fares rose by 4.9% on 3 March. 

The Royal Mail will raise the price of stamps again as the company struggles with a decline in the number of letters being posted.

The price of a first class and second class stamp will increase by 10p to £1.35 and 85p respectively from 2 April.

It's not all bad news in April

National insurance

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in the budget earlier this month that the starting rate for NI will change from 10% to 8% from 6 April.

This will benefit 27 million workers, he said, and is worth about £450 a year to an employee on an average salary of £35,000.

NI for two million self-employed workers is also being cut.

Their rate will fall from 8% to 6%. The government says that is worth £350 to a self-employed person earning £28,200.

Child benefit

The amount people can earn before child benefit is reduced or taken away is increasing.

At the moment, people lose 1% of the benefit for every £100 they earn over £50,000. At £60,000, the benefit is cut completely.

From April, the benefit won't be reduced until one parent earns more than £60,000. And it will only go completely at £80,000.

Benefits and tax credits that are linked to inflation will rise by 6.7% in April.

That was the level CPI in September.

For joint claimants over the age of 25, universal credit standard allowances will rise from £578.82 to £617.60 per month.

The basic and new state pension will rise by 8.5% in April - to £11,502 a year.

The new state pension is for those reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2016. It will rise to £221.20 a week - up from £203.85.

Minimum wage

The National Minimum Wage for those 21 and over will rise to £11.44 - an increase of £1.02, or 9.8%.

There are larger percentage increases for younger age groups -as well as a 21.2% rise for apprentices (going up to £6.40).

Energy price cap

From 1 April to 30 June this year the price paid by a typical household that uses electricity and gas will go down to £1,690 a year.

This is £238 a year lower than the price cap between 1 January and 31 March this year. 

A lunar rover manufacturer has signed a deal to allow businesses to test and advertise their products on the moon's surface. 

Start-up Astrolab is sending its Flex rover to the moon in 2026 - and has partnered with Group of Humans, a network for creative professionals, to allow the testing and advertising to happen.

Nasa is planning to build a base for a permanent presence on the moon, and it's said this new deal could provide opportunities such as Volvo introducing a lunar highway code or Nike developing footwear for the low-gravity atmosphere.

Rob Noble, the founder of Group of Humans, told The Times that his proposal was not particularly new as astronauts wore Omega Speedmaster watches for all six moon landings, and their spacesuits were designed by Prada.

He insisted this new platform would not be used to create gimmicks. 

"It isn't about rubbish stunts to send up Star Trek remains," he said, referring to the memorial spaceflight service that blasted the ashes of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and several former cast members into space. 

"We are focused on making sure that the ­resources of the moon are cared for and preserved. It's about really being thoughtful and an awareness that this is going to be really important for mankind. We want to find the companies that really want to change the world."

The British government is no longer the controlling shareholder in NatWest bank , reducing its stake in the lender to below 30%.

NatWest received several multibillion-pound bailouts at the height of the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, resulting in the government being left with an 84% stake in what was then known as RBS Group.

The government had been slowly selling down its stake but it accelerated the process in recent months.

Read the full story here ...

People who drive SUVs could have to pay higher parking charges in Oxford under plans drawn up by some city councillors.

The motion has been put forward by the city's Green Party.

It follows a new policy in Paris that saw parking charges triple for SUV drivers. 

The Green Party's plan would have to be approved by the Labour-controlled council.

Apple, Meta and Google's parent company are being investigated by the European Union under new laws designed to clamp down on the market power of the world's tech giants.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into force at the beginning of March and aims to tackle "gatekeeping" behaviour among tech giants.

If the companies are found guilty of non-compliance, they face fines of up to 10% of their global turnover.

Under the new rules, companies are expected to allow app developers to steer users to products outside their own platforms for no extra charge.

Also, platforms that rank search results must treat all listings fairly and in a way that does not discriminate against services offered by third parties.

The number of under-30s with millionaire salaries has grown to a record high of 830, while more than 15,000 young people earn over £150,000, analysis by accountancy firm Lubbock Fine shows.

Before the pandemic, 650 under-30s had earned at least £1m and 13,400 earned more than £150,000.

Among the highest paid young people in the UK are pop star Dua Lipa, Manchester City star Erling Haaland and actress Millie Bobby Brown.

Lubbock Fine said the rise in £1m-plus earners is being driven by higher pay packages for sports, media and music stars, while the rise in those on more than £150,000 is thanks to higher salaries in the technology and financial services industries.

The average salary for a Premier League footballer is £3.6m a year, with Erling Haaland, 23, the highest earner under 30. 

The star earns £19.5m a year, or £375,000 a week, according to Spotrac. 

Chelsea and England star Raheem Sterling, 29, is on £16.9m, while Jack Grealish, 28, and Marcus Rashford, 26, both earn £15.6m. 

In music, pop star Dua Lipa, 28, is thought to be the richest under 30 with a wealth of more than £75m. 

The highest-paid young British actor is Millie Bobby Brown, known for her starring roles in Stranger Things and Enola Holmes.

She is said to have accumulated a net worth of £20m.

But while football and music and acting is a route to fame and fortune, in cash terms it is dwarfed by tech. According to the Sunday Times Rich List, the wealthiest under-30 in the UK is the 28-year-old builder of the video conferencing app Hopin, Johnny Boufarhat (£1.7bn).

Wealthiest under-30s

  • Johnny Boufarhat, founder of Hopin - £1.714bn
  • Christian Owens, founder of Paddle - £101m
  • Dua Lipa, pop star - £75m
  • Raheem Sterling, footballer - £61m
  • Charlie Morgan, co-founder of Au Vodka - £55m
  • Niall Horan, pop star - £54m
  • Harry Kane, footballer - £51m
  • Daniel Knight, director of Kinetic Games - £50m

Visitors to the popular tourist attractions will pay more at peak times under new plans from owner Merlin Entertainments. 

Surge pricing - which means prices fluctuate depending on demand - will be introduced at the company's top 20 global attractions by the end of this year. 

Scott O'Neil, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, said people would expect to pay more in peak season, for example a Saturday in August, than on a "rainy Tuesday in March".

He told Business Live With Ian King : "One thing I love about dynamic pricing is that it offers an opportunity in the peak times to make sure the queues are down and the guest experience is high. 

"The other part that I really appreciate about dynamic pricing is that in off-peak times, it allows families that might not otherwise have an opportunity to go."

The theme park operator will use machine learning to monitor supply and demand.

Surge pricing is frequently used by hotels and airlines, but the model is being increasingly adopted by entertainment facilities. 

Merlin revealed today it had delivered record revenues of £2.1bn in 2023, up 8% year on year. 

However, visitor numbers have still not returned to pre-pandemic levels. 

Roughly 62.1 million people visited its 141 global attractions last year, down from the 67 million recorded in 2019.

A leading buy-to-let lender has cut rates across its range.

The Mortgage Works announcement includes a headline 3.99% deal fixed for five years.

The industry has reacted positively, with Darryl Dhoffer from The Mortgage Expert telling Newspage: "Buy-to-let mortgages have been dropping for some time now. 

"Who would have thought that a headline buy-to-let rate of 3.99% would be cheaper than a standard residential mortgage rate? 

"Fair play to The Mortgage Works. Let's hope big brother, Nationwide, wake up and start reducing residential interest rates."

Three lesser-noted developments at the Bank of England last week have prompted a forecast that 3% interest rates will return next year.

Economists at the respected insight firm Capital Economics have been analysing voting patterns and interviews given by Bank rate setters - and "as a result we have become a bit more confident in our forecasts that interest rates will be cut from 5.25% in June and to 3.00% next year".

Paul Dales, the firm's chief UK economist, explained: "First, for the first time since September 2021, none of the nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise rates.

"Second, the minutes to the meeting included a new line that said 'policy could remain restrictive even if Bank Rate were to be reduced'. This may sound innocuous, but at every meeting since interest rates rose to their peak of 5.25% last August, the MPC has said that policy would remain 'restrictive for sufficiently long'. 

"Pointing out that a rate cut is not inconsistent with that guidance implies that the MPC wanted to make it clear it would not necessarily need to remove that guidance before it cuts rates."

Thirdly, Dales has picked out comments by governor Andrew Bailey, who told the FT last Thursday afternoon that market forecasts for cuts this year were "not unreasonable".

Dales said: "Subsequent comments that 'all our meetings are in play; we take a fresh decision every time' imply that the MPC will be actively considering rate cuts at the coming meetings."

Markets are expecting three cuts, from 5.25% to 4.5%, this year, starting in June.

There is a 20% chance, according to markets, a first cut could come in May, when inflation data for the previous month is expected to show a big drop in inflation due to an April cut to the energy price cap.

By Daniel Dunford , senior data journalist

British people aren't the only ones to moan about the state and price of housing in their country, but we do have the best justification to do so.

Finland is the only country in the OECDi that spends more on housing than British workers as a proportion of total spending.

And after you adjust for quality, in terms of size, age and proximity to jobs, the UK has higher housing costs than any other developed economy, research by living-standards thinktank the Resolution Foundation shows.

These charts illustrate the key findings...

Leeds Building Society has just announced cuts of up to 0.25% on selected fixed-rate deals.

Relative newcomer to the market Gen H is also reducing rates by up to 0.2%.

Industry insiders say lenders are responding to falling swap rates (these reflect market expectations for future interest rates) and positive noises from Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey last week.

Despite the Bank holding its base rate at 5.25%, Mr Bailey said market expectations of cuts this year (they currently think there will be up to three, starting in summer) were "reasonable".

Michael Haupt, owner of Tomorrow Mortgages, told the industry news provider Newspage, in quotes supplied to the Money blog: "It's great news that Leeds have announced a number of rate cuts this morning. 

"Hopefully this is the start of things to come and the general narrative around mortgage rates will become more positive.

"Though we didn't get a rate cut last week, we got very clear signs from the Bank of England that one is coming soon."

Ying Tan, CEO at Habito, added: "Great to see Leeds being the first mover, off the back of positive inflation news last week. They might be the first but they certainly won't be the last as swap rates have fallen since Andrew Bailey's comments that base rate cuts are on their way."

According to Moneyfacts, the average two-year fixed residential mortgage rate today is 5.82%. The average five-year is 5.40%.

These are just averages - and many buyers or re-mortgagers will be able to secure something in the 4-5% range.

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    For a man whose job is upholding the integrity of WA's public service, Chris Field spends a lot of time overseas — a matter that has landed him before a corruption inquiry. Andrea Mayes explains ...

  28. Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball Jackpot winner from Richmond

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