Travel to the U.S. now saves you $4,800 as U.S. visa waiver announced today

By MOOK Travel Life Network, Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

Traveling abroad has just become even more convenient for Taiwanese, following Hong Kong’s announcement on September 1 that its citizens can now apply for a visa online for free. Today, the U.S. Department of State will officially announce Taiwan as a participant in the U.S. visa waiver program. In response, You Guozhen, Associate General Manager and spokesperson for Lion Travel, stated that this news is a huge boost for the tourism industry, which has been eagerly awaiting such a development. Going forward, there will be significant growth potential in terms of public willingness to visit the U.S., the number of travelers, as well as the diversity of U.S.-bound tour packages and customized independent travel options. Popular destinations that traditionally make up the majority of tour groups—such as New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas—will now also see the addition of newly developed itineraries featuring topics like Houston, Texas, or other innovative routes in the American South.

Currently, the cost of U.S. tour packages ranges between NT$55,000 and NT$90,000, with visa fees starting at NT$4,800. These fees are non-refundable regardless of whether the visa is approved or not. In addition, the U.S. visa application process requires filling out detailed forms and an in-person interview at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). For people in central and southern Taiwan, this not only means making a special trip north but also dealing with the uncertainty of whether the interview will be successful. During peak seasons, interviews may need to be booked up to one and a half months in advance. However, once approved, the visa is usually issued within 2–3 days. As a result, many people who want to travel to the U.S. may be discouraged.

With the announcement of the U.S. visa waiver and the upcoming Taipei International Travel Fair from October 26 to 29, industry insiders estimate that the overall market for both group and independent travel to the U.S. could grow by 40%. Travel agencies are currently capitalizing on visa benefits to promote U.S. itineraries. For example, Lion Travel has launched early promotions including an 8-day “Houston Space Exploration, New York, Go Jeremy Lin” tour and a 10-day “Space Houston, San Antonio River City, Dallas West, Go Jeremy Lin” tour, priced from NT$86,900 and NT$107,900 respectively (taxes included). Additionally, to celebrate one of the most exciting New Year’s events in the U.S., they’ve also introduced a 2013 New Year’s Eve countdown in Times Square, New York, starting at NT$89,900.

● Read more: Top 10 Overseas Destinations for Taiwanese / 12 Must-Visit Attractions in New York

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