Convenience stores compete for mainland tourists with "Free Independent Travel Gift Packs" featuring food, drinks, and entertainment.

Text & Photography / Chi Binghui

With the countdown to mainland tourists' free independent travel to Taiwan underway, various industries are preparing to welcome this surge of visitors. Taiwan, home to the world’s highest density of convenience stores, offers unparalleled convenience and is set to become the “first stop” for mainland tourists. 7-ELEVEN has partnered with eight mainland travel agencies to give away free “Free Independent Travel Gift Packs,” packed with attractive benefits redeemable at all 4,760 7-ELEVEN stores across Taiwan. Stores in tourist areas have also set up special “Taiwan Delights” sections, offering popular souvenirs, cosmetics, and even Teresa Teng merchandise, among other diverse items.

> Tsai Duc-chang, General Manager of 7-ELEVEN’s Marketing Group, said that in the past, mainland tourists typically visited Taiwan in tour groups, limiting their travels to quick visits of major scenic spots. With the introduction of free independent travel, the focus will shift to more in-depth cultural exploration, using public transport like the MRT and high-speed rail to reach local attractions. Ubiquitous 7-ELEVEN stores across Taiwan act as tourist information centers, offering a wide range of convenient services. Beyond covering food, drinks, and entertainment, they also provide free Taipei/Kaohsiung pocket maps. The travel magazine 7-WATCH will launch a special island-wide free independent travel edition in July to meet various needs.

In the past, mainland tourists visiting 7-ELEVEN flocked to buy popular items such as “My Beauty Diary” face masks, “MIT” (Made in Taiwan) goods, DHC cosmetics, tea and pineapple cake gift boxes, or products featuring the word “Taiwan.” Accordingly, the “Free Independent Travel Gift Pack” curated by 7-ELEVEN includes a choice between an icash EasyCard (worth NT$666) or 7-WiFi (worth NT$616), two My Beauty Diary face masks, a welcome drink (CITY CAFÉ or Slurpee), 7-Mobile discount vouchers, DHC discount vouchers, Taiwan Gold Medal Beer discount vouchers, and a total of 10 products. Mainland tourists can obtain the gift pack after applying through any of the designated eight travel agencies (including Shanghai China Travel Service, Xiamen C&D Corporation, Xiamen Tourism Group, etc.). Limited to 60,000 packs, available while supplies last.