A subsidy of NT$10,000 for accommodation and buy-one-get-one-free theme park tickets? Tourism Bureau: Online rumor

▲ Illustration of hotels and inns. (Photo / Reporter You...)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Recently, many members of the public have received tourism-related promotional messages circulating on Line, including offers such as 30% off accommodation, up to NT$10,000 subsidy per night, and buy-one-get-one-free deals at theme parks. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau clarified today that all of these are false — they are untrue messages circulating online. The public is advised not to be deceived and to stop forwarding or spreading this rumor. In addition, to boost domestic tourism, the Bureau has already begun drafting relevant supporting measures, which will be officially announced after approval.

% Many members of the public have recently received messages on Line claiming that the Tourism Bureau will launch consumer-boosting subsidies on November 20.

Below is the original false message from LINE

The Executive Yuan is boosting consumption; the Tourism Bureau will subsidize 30% off on accommodation, up to NT$10,000 per night, and offer buy-one-get-one-free deals at theme parks. Applications will open on the 20th of next month.

Deputy Director of the Tourism Bureau, Chang Hsi-tsung, said that from the 20th of next month to May 29 of the following year, subsidies will be provided for both accommodation and theme park tickets. Members of the public can apply for a “limited-time travel accommodation” discount electronic serial number via the Tourism Bureau’s “Taiwan Inn Network.” Each person is limited to one serial number, which can be used to discount one room. All 8,9555 inns and homestays across Taiwan are eligible, and the offer can also be combined with the National Travel Card and travel fair accommodation vouchers.

Liu Shih-ming, director of the Tourism Bureau’s Hotel Inspection and Reporting Center, gave an example: if a guest stays in a room priced at NT$6,000, they get a direct 30% discount and only pay NT$4,200. To use up the maximum NT$10,000 per-night subsidy, one could choose rooms priced over NT$3,300 per night. If a couple stays in a double room for two nights and both apply for serial numbers, both nights will be discounted. Approximately 1.115 million serial numbers will be offered, and with additional peripheral consumption benefits, the measure could generate NT$1.4 to 1.5 billion in tourism revenue over three months.

For theme parks, there will be a “two people go, one gets free” promotion. Members of the public can log in to the theme park website to download coupons, and present them upon entry to get buy-one-get-one-free deals. There is a limit of 40,000 coupons, but each person can apply only once. The list of applicable amusement parks will be announced next week, and it is expected to attract an additional 80,000 to 100,000 visitors. Both Leofoo Village Theme Park and Janfusun Fancyworld have indicated they will cooperate with the promotion. Additionally, the Directorate General of Highways’ top ten scenic routes are joining the offer, and the high-speed rail service is providing special packages for hot spring experiences and family travel.

Members of the public can simply visit the Tourism Bureau’s website and link to the Taiwan Inn Network. By logging in with their ID number, they can obtain an electronic serial number, which can then be used to book accommodations and benefit from the “Subsidy Plan for Domestic Travel, Accommodation, and Amusement Park Visits.”

Applications for serial numbers start on 11/20. Limited to one application per person, children may also apply. When you arrive at your accommodation with the serial number, immediate discounts apply, oh yeah!! Theme parks are also 50% off!!