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

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 Introduces Plan to Attract Tourists — by Paying Them

The new incentive program comes as the government aims to draw in six million tourists in 2023 and then 10 million tourists by 2025.

kecl/GETTY IMAGES

Taiwan is looking to boost its tourism numbers, and will hand out cash to visitors as an incentive to come.

The island will hand out NT $5,000 (or about $166) to 500,000 individual tourists along with up to NT $20,000 (or about $667) to 90,000 tour groups, CNN reported . The money will be given out digitally after tourists arrive, according to the Taipei Times , and can be used to cover expenses while in Taiwan , including for food or accommodation.

However, travelers looking to plan a trip may want to hold tight since it was not immediately clear when the money would be issued or how to apply for it, according to CNN .

“The money will be given out through multiple tourism promotion events this year, rather than giving it all out at once,” Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung said, according to the Taipei Times . “As such, not all international tourists would receive it.“

The new incentive program comes as the government aims to draw in six million tourists in 2023 and then 10 million tourists by 2025, CNN noted.

Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai said the island hopes to use the incentive to bring in visitors from key markets, including Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macao, Europe, and America.

Taiwan welcomes travelers, including from the United States, without the need to test for COVID-19 before their trip, according to the American Institute in Taiwan . The country also dropped quarantine rules in October and eased mask rules in December.

Taiwan isn’t the first destination to pay tourists to visit. In 2021, Malta introduced a scheme to pay tourists to stay in hotels there, and last year, a region in Italy’s northeastern corner chose to cover traveler’s train fare in an effort to promote sustainable travel.

On the other hand, several destinations have introduced plans to collect tourist fees , including Thailand , Venice , and Europe as a whole.

Taiwan to pay tourists to visit

Looking for a bargain long-haul trip this year? Head to Taiwan, where plans are afoot to actually pay travelers to come over.

Taiwanese officials are looking to offer a financial incentive of 5,000 New Taiwan dollars (about $164) per traveler or NT$20,000 ($654) for group tours in a bid to help boost flagging tourist levels.

Some half a million foreign vacationgoers are set to benefit from the plan, which was designed to help the government reach its goal of 6 million visitors by year's end.

Taiwan only fully reopened its borders last October due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has subsequently failed to attract even a tenth of the number of tourists compared to years prior. As a result, officials are now spending money to make money.

How will it work?

Chang Shi-chung, director-general of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, said the financial package will be sent digitally to a type of tourist card, ensuring all the cash will go directly back into the country's tourism sector.

"International tourists who are given NT$5,000 will not receive it until they arrive," Chang explained. "It will be stored in an electronic ticketing card, which can be used to pay for food, accommodation and other travel expenses during their time here."

Related: Taiwan's Starlux Airlines will start flying to the US in April

There's still no information on when or where these cash amounts will be handed over to travelers, just that it will be distributed via a number of "promotional events" this year.

The very fact we're writing this, and you're reading this, means, at least on the marketing side of things, Taiwan has found a smart way to tell the world that it's open for business. Whether this will translate into the 10 million tourists it hopes to snare by 2025 remains to be seen.

It's not the first Asian destination to throw money at dwindling tourist numbers either. Last month, Hong Kong revealed it was giving away half a million free airline tickets in a bid to win back visitors in a project dubbed "Hello Hong Kong."

How far will the cash amount go?

Pretty far, actually. Living costs in this part of Asia are cheaper than in many of its bigger neighbors; a weeklong escape could cost you less than the same time spent in many European destinations.

In Taiwan's capital Taipei, you can find five-star hotel rooms for about $84 per night in June for two people. Although perhaps a truer reflection of how far your dollars will go is via the "Big Mac index," which has the hallowed meat sandwich priced at $2.50 in Taiwan compared to the average cost of $6.05 in the U.S. — (junk) food for thought.

Why has Taiwan's tourism dried up?

The move comes at a time of increasing uncertainty in a travel market still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Annual visitor numbers were around 11.8 million before the pandemic but had dwindled to just 9,000 last year.

This could have a dramatic toll on businesses, including hotels, airlines, restaurants and leisure companies throughout the country.

Another possible reason for a dwindling travel market could be escalating tensions between China and Taiwan. The tensions have prompted warnings from the U.S. to China against a possible invasion.

Just this week, 25 Chinese warplanes and three warships were spotted off Taiwan's mainland in the latest provocation to cause geopolitical ripple effects.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't visit Taiwan — far from it. The U.S. Department of State gives Taiwan a " Level 1 " travel advisory, which advises "normal precautions" for travel.

Bottom line

Let's be honest, unless you had already planned to explore this delightful corner of Asia in 2023, a $164 subsidy probably won't be enough to sway you into paying a visit when a flight could cost three or four times that.

However, if you aren't one of the half a million tourists to benefit from the campaign, you can console yourself with incredible food and scenery.

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Taiwan is paying people to come visit

The government is also offering cash incentives to hotels to get more workers in the hospitality business.

By Sarah Gambles

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Taiwan, now might be your perfect opportunity. The Asian country is offering a cash incentive to tourists who come.

Taiwan’s government is offering $165 to up to 500,000 individual tourists to increase tourism to the island. Taiwan’s Premier Chen Chien-jen announced that the government hopes “to attract six million tourists in 2023, doubling that figure in 2024 and aiming for 10 million visitors by 2025,” CNN Travel reported.

Tour groups could receive up to $658.

“The money will be given out through multiple tourism promotion events this year, rather than giving it all out at once,” Taiwan Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung said, per Taipei Times . “As such, not all international tourists would receive it.“

To address hotel work shortages, the government also announced it would provide monthly cash incentives for each new staff member hired, per Taipei Times .

The announcement did not include how to apply or when the incentive would start.

Do other countries offer cash incentives to visit?

Taiwan is not the first place to offer a cash incentive to come visit. In 2021, Malta announced it would “pay each visitor who books a three-night stay directly with select three- to five-star hotels on a scaled basis,” according to Travel + Leisure .

Malta offered to pay $119 per person for every five-star booking, $89 for 4-star hotels and $60 to each visitor staying at a three-star hotel.

Hong Kong announced earlier this month it would cover airfare for 500,000 tourists.

Here’s how to apply for the free Hong Kong flights

The flight giveaways will take place in three rounds, as follows:

• March 1: Southeast Asians can apply for tickets.
• April 1: Mainland China residents can apply.
• May 1: All international tourists can apply for the tickets.
• July 1: Hong Kong residents can apply for the “make up for lost travel time” flights the government is offering to locals, according to CNN .

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Taiwan to give 500,000 tourists perks worth $220 each to boost economy

TAIPEI – Taiwan will offer 500,000 tourists a cash or discount incentive this year as it tries to shore up its post-pandemic travel industry and boost spending. 

The incentives, worth NT$5,000 (S$220) each, were announced on Thursday as part of a NT$5.3 billion package to attract international tourists. 

While some details were not yet available, including whether there were any eligibility requirements or how people would be chosen, officials said in a statement that the money may be handed out electronically or as discounts for accommodation. 

“We hope to accelerate and expand efforts for international tourists to come to Taiwan,” Mr Lin Fu-shan, department director of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, said at a press briefing. The spending plan also included a proposal to offer travel agencies NT$10,000 each for groups of at least eight tourists, and NT$20,000 each for groups of at least 15 tourists.

Taiwan is looking for ways to boost its economy after removing Covid-19 curbs in 2022. Growth is expected to slow in 2023 as the trade-dependent island struggles with a dropoff in exports, making it more important to spur activity through domestic demand and tourism.

Before the pandemic, tourism accounted for about 4 per cent of Taiwan’s gross domestic product, according to Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau. 

But visits came to a near-standstill as Taiwan closed its borders and implemented quarantine rules to contain the virus.

Geopolitical tensions have also chilled the industry, as China banned individual tourists travelling to Taiwan in 2019, and in January left the island off a list of 20 permitted destinations for Chinese tour groups.

Taiwan has taken some steps to welcome visitors, including reopening its borders to individual travellers from Hong Kong and Macau in February. The government wants to attract six million tourists in 2023, Transportation Minister Wang Kwo-tsai said earlier.

After reopening last October, Taiwan attracted nearly 900,000 tourists in 2022, according to a statement from Taiwan’s Transportation Ministry.

The tourism announcement was part of a larger NT$380 billion stimulus package that was approved via a special act by lawmakers this week. Lawmakers still need to sign off on where all of the funds are used specifically.

Other parts of that plan – paid for using surplus tax revenue – include allocating funds for use by the state-owned Taiwan Power Company and health insurance system. 

That broader package has been in the works for a while, but Thursday was the first time officials detailed several of the specifics, including the plan for tourists. Officials are expected to release more details in the afternoon.

Taiwan’s campaign comes as others in the region also roll out initiatives to attract tourists. The “Hello Hong Kong” campaign, for example, involves giving out 500,000 air tickets among other perks.  BLOOMBERG

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Taiwan will pay you to come visit in an effort to woo back tourists

People might be traveling again after the pandemic, but prohibitively high airfares are keeping them away from areas that used to be tourist destinations. Now, one of those is fighting back.

Taiwan will offer the U.S. equivalent of $165 to a half-million tourists, part of a multimillion-dollar program to attract visitors to the island. Visitors will have the option of receiving the money via electronic transfer or through discounts.

Tour groups of eight or more are being wooed with incentives of up to $658.

$165 might not sound like a lot, but given the strength of the U.S. dollar in Taiwan, it could stretch a fair way. The average hotel in the country costs just $67 per night , by some estimates (depending on where you stay). Meals can run for under $5 . And many attractions are free.

The incentives come after Taiwan saw less than 1 million visitors come to the country last year. Compare that to nearly 12 million in 2019, which was a record. The disparity was due to the country closing its borders until last October , as part of COVID protocols. The country has also suffered as China has not yet included it on a list of permitted destinations for tour groups.

Before you book your trip, though, it’s worth noting that the government hasn’t yet announced when the promotion will begin.

Taiwan’s not the only country in the region desperately trying to win back tourists. Hong Kong recently announced plans to give out a half-million plane tickets to the country. Those tickets will be released via a lottery in three waves, starting next month.

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Taiwan government is giving away NT$5,000 travel vouchers to tourists

Here's everything you need to know

Planning for a trip to Taiwan? Well, you're in luck as the Taiwan government has just announced that they will be dishing out travel vouchers (much like our consumption voucher scheme , but travel edition) with the aim to boost tourism and attract foreign visitors to the country. Here's what you need to know:

What is it?

Starting May 1, 2023 (12pm), the Taiwan Tourism Bureau will be distributing 500,000 vouchers worth NT$5,000 each (approximately HK$1,280) as travel incentives for tourists visiting Taiwan. The vouchers will be given out through a lucky draw system and will run all the way through to June 30, 2025. The first 250,000 vouchers will be given out in 2023, while the remaining 150,000 vouchers will be distributed in 2024, and 100,000 vouchers in 2025.

Who is eligible?

Independent travellers who do not hold a ROC (Republic of China) passport and are staying in Taiwan for three to 90 days are eligible. However, this does not apply to those travelling in tour groups. In other words, Hong Kong residents holding a Hong Kong passport can participate!

How do I enter the lucky draw?

The rules are simple. Those who are eligible can register online one to seven days prior to their arrival date in Taiwan on a designated government website (5000.taiwan.net.tw). Registration begins on April 28 at 12pm – but remember, the lucky draw only starts from May 1, 12pm onwards.

Participants must fill in the necessary travel information and choose the type of vouchers they would like to receive (electronic tickets or accommodation discount vouchers). A QR code for the lucky draw will be sent to you via email upon successful registration.

On the day of arrival in Taiwan, participants can head to the lucky draw event area located at the arrival halls in one of four Taiwan airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport.

How do I collect my prize?

Lucky winners may head to the airport's redemption area and provide relevant documents – including their entry stamp, boarding pass, and an electronic copy of their round-trip tickets – to redeem their prize.

How can I use the travel vouchers?

Those who have chosen to claim their prize in the form of electronic tickets may store the money on an EasyCard or iPass and spend them at designated merchants. Each transaction limit is NT$5,000, while the maximum usage per day is NT$3,000.

Meanwhile, winners who have opted for accommodation discounts will receive five vouchers worth NT$1,000 each. The vouchers can only be used once by the winner at hotels with tourist hotel business licenses and commercial hotels or hostels with registered licenses. The vouchers can not be reused or resold.

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Taiwan To Offer 500,000 Tourists Incentives Of Up To US$165 Each

In a bid to boost the economy, taiwan is set to offer 500,000 tourists cash or discount travel incentives up to twd 5,000 (usd 165) each..

By: Anushka Goel Published: Feb 24, 2023 03:00 PM UTC

In a bid to boost the economy, Taiwan is set to provide 500,000 tourists with cash or discount incentives this year. The offers will be up to TWD 5,000 (USD 165, at the time of writing) each.

The offers were announced on February 23 as part of a larger TWD 5.3 billion (USD 1.7 million approx) package, which has been launched to attract more international tourists . After removing COVID-19-related curbs in 2022, Taiwan has been looking for ways to boost its economy, and these incentives are part of an initiative to give the country’s post-pandemic travel industry a push.

All you need to know about the new Taiwan travel offers

At a press briefing, Lin Fu-shan, department director of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, said, “We hope to accelerate and expand efforts for international tourists to come to Taiwan.” The spending plan also includes a proposal to offer travel agencies TWD 10,000 (USD 328) each for groups of at least eight tourists, and TWD 20,000 (USD 656, at the time of writing) each for groups of at least 15 tourists, media reports add.

The tourism offerings are part of the TWD 380 billion (USD 12.5 billion approx) stimulus package that was approved via a special act this week. However, lawmakers still need to sign off on where exactly the funds will be used.

A lot of the details about these new offers are not available, including eligibility criteria and how the 500,000 tourists will be selected. However, officials said in a statement that the money may be handed out electronically or in the form of discounts on accommodation, reports state.

Why the offer is an important step to increase economic growth in Taiwan

According to Taiwan’s tourism bureau, tourism contributed to almost four per cent of the country’s GDP before the pandemic, but as borders closed, travel came to an almost standstill. This worsened with China banning individual tourists from visiting Taiwan in 2019. In January, when China allowed its citizens to travel abroad, Taiwan was left off the list of 20 destinations permitted for Chinese travel groups, reports add.

Thus, Taiwan’s campaign comes right in time when nations across the globe are releasing new offers to attract visitors. The ‘Hello Hong Kong ‘ campaign is aimed at giving out 500,000 air tickets (along with other perks), while Japan is offering work visas to attract long-term international residents. Vietnam’s low-cost carrier, Vietjet, has been launching offers since 2022 to attract travellers, especially from India, to come and visit the country.

(Hero and Featured Image credit: Rovin Ferrer/Unsplash)

Related: 23 Best Destinations To Travel To In 2023

(All USD conversions done at the time of writing)

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Anushka Goel

Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument. Read Less

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Paid to travel? Taiwan may pay international tourists to visit soon

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

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Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said the payment to international tourists has been approved. This has been corrected.

MANILA, Philippines – Revenge travel season doesn’t get any better than this! Taiwan’s government is considering the tourism bureau’s plans to provide monetary allowances to international tourists, as reported by Taipei Times on February 23.

The proposal is an allowance of NT$5,000 per person (approximately P9,000) will be given to 500,000 tourists when they travel to the country, as a way to boost Taiwan’s tourism.

Additionally, those traveling in groups can also receive cash incentives from the government. Groups of 8 to 14 tourists can receive NT$10,000 (around P17,900), and groups with more members can receive NT$20,000 (around P35,800). Up to 90,000 groups can enjoy the allowances.

Tourists chosen to have allowances will receive the amount upon arriving in Taiwan. Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung explained that the stipend will be provided digitally.

“It will be stored in an electronic ticketing card, which can be used to pay for food, accommodation, and other travel expenses during their time here,” Chang said.

Chang noted that the money will not be given all at once to travelers but will be distributed throughout multiple tourism promotion events.  

The bureau’s plans are in line with Taiwan’s goal of boosting tourism, with a target of welcoming 6 million international visitors in 2023. The program has an allocated budget of NT$5.3 billion (P9.5 billion). The bureau is primarily targeting to attract tourists from Japan, South Korea, Europe, and North America. 

Filipinos are also qualified to receive the incentives as the program covers countries under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy. Other eligible countries include Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and many more. 

On Friday afternoon, March 3, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines told Rappler that as of this writing, the proposal was still under review and has not been finalized yet. The official guidelines will be posted on its official website once confirmed. – with reports from Charlene Enriquez/Rappler.com

Charlene Enriquez is a Rappler intern.

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Taiwan government is offering more than RM700 vouchers to tourists starting May 1

The Taiwanese government is offering NTD 5,000 (approx. RM723) 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: 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 must register online in advance on the designated website which will go live on May 1.

The vouchers will be available 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 at the counter of the airport or at the Tourism Bureau office.

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?

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

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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 is planning to pay tourists to visit, including those from the Philippines

By JUSTINE PUNZALAN Published Mar 01, 2023 9:00 am Updated Mar 09, 2023 4:25 pm

Need a destination idea for 2023 and beyond? You might want to set your sights on Taiwan, as it is planning to pay tourists to visit in the coming months.

In late February, the Taiwan government received a proposal from its tourism bureau to give 500,000 international tourists an allowance of NT$5,000 each (approximately P9,000 per person) when they travel to the country.

Meanwhile, each group with eight to 14 members will be given pocket money amounting to  NT$10,000 (P17,980) and those with more members can expect to receive NT$20,000 (P35,960). According to a report by Taipei Times , the bureau is eyeing to distribute the money to 90,000 groups.

While the government has yet to approve the proposal, foreign media outlets reported that the move is part of the Taiwan government's NT$5.3 billion (P9.5 billion) project to attract six million tourists this year and ten million by 2025.

If you're one of the tourists who will be given NT$5,000 incentive, Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung said that you will receive the amount when you arrive in Taiwan.

“It will be stored in an electronic ticketing card, which can be used to pay for food, accommodation, and other travel expenses during their time here," Chang added. 

The rest will be "given out through multiple tourism promotion events this year." Because of that, "not all international tourists would receive it," the director-general noted.

The bureau is aiming to attract tourists primarily from Japan, South Korea, Europe, and North America.

Good news is that Filipino travelers may also be eligible for the incentive as the program will cover countries under Taiwan's New Southbound Policy as well. This includes the Philippines, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In an e-mail sent to PhilSTAR L!fe , Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of the Philippines said that further details about the program are yet to be announced if it is approved by the government.

" If it is approved, The Taiwan Tourism Bureau will announce the details and guidelines on its official website: https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002001 , " the statement reads.

Prior to Taiwan, Malta launched a program in 2021 granting tourists €200 (P11,700) when they  stay in the island for more than two nights during summer of that year . The amount was paid both by participating hotels and the government in an attempt to put Malta's hotels in a "competitive position," according to Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo .

Hong Kong is likewise stepping up its game, with the launch of Airport Authority Hong Kong 's "World of Winners" campaign in February this year. With the program, 500,000 tourists around the globe will be given free airline tickets when they visit the country. Filipinos can avail of the offer through Cathay Pacific 's contest until March 9, 2023.

Editor's note: This story was updated to include the statement from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of the Philippines that the Taiwan Tourism Bureau's proposal for the incentive program has yet to be approved.

TAGS: taiwan pay to travel

JUSTINE PUNZALAN

Justine is a lifestyle journalist who enjoys learning and writing about people, pop culture, and BTS.

Taiwan Wants to Literally Pay People to Visit – Here’s How

Is this too good to be true? by Cristina Morales | March 01, 2023

As countries around the world reopen their borders and welcome back tourists, Taiwan is taking it a step further in an effort to boost its economy. The Taiwanese government announced this week that they will be offering cash rewards of up to NT$5,000 ($165) to individual tourists and allowances of up to NT$20,000 ($658) to tour groups.

CNN reports that the government is hoping to double the number of tourists visiting Taiwan in 2024, and reach 10 million visitors by 2025. The money can be used to cover expenses such as accommodation, food, and other tourist activities on the island. They are also targeting key markets including Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macau, Europe, and America.

In October 2022, Taiwan lifted its entry restrictions after one of the longest border closures in the world. Taiwan saw nearly 900,000 inbound visitors in 2022, which is a fraction of the 11.8 million that visited the island in 2019 before border closures began.

While this is great news for travelers, the Taiwanese government has yet to announce when the cash reward scheme will start or how to apply for it. In the meantime, those looking to book their trip are advised to hold fire until further details have been released.

For now, Taiwan remains an exciting destination for any traveler looking to explore a new culture and immerse themselves in the beauty of its landscapes. With the possibility to receive extra cash rewards, there’s never been a better time to explore Taiwan.

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

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Gap between Caitlin Clark's WNBA salary and her male counterparts' draws outrage

College basketball superstar Caitlin Clark is set to soar to new heights in the WNBA — but her rookie contract means she will pocket a fraction of the millions her male counterparts have made on the court.

Clark, the University of Iowa legend who has already made history as NCAA Division I basketball’s overall top scorer, sealed a contract with the Indiana Fever after she was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Monday.

Clark will earn $338,056 over four years, according to the WNBA’s  collective bargaining agreement .

Under the 2024 WNBA rookie scale for the No. 1-4 draft picks, she'll earn a base salary of $76,535 for her first year, $78,066 the second year and $85,873 the third, with a fourth-year option of $97,582.

Despite Clark’s unprecedented star power, her salary is a sliver of the eye-popping amount male athletes make in the NBA.

WNBA draft picks No. 2-4 — Stanford’s Cameron Brink, who went to the Los Angeles Sparks, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, with the Chicago Sky, and Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson, also with the Sparks — will make the same pay as Clark.

For comparison, San Antonio Spurs rookie star Victor Wembanyama — the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA draft — secured a $55 million four-year contract under which he pocketed $12.1 million in his first season, according to the athlete contract tracker Spotrac .

A WNBA spokesperson said Wednesday that the $76,000 sum is just a part of what Clark will make in the league.

“Caitlin Clark stands to make a half million dollars or more in WNBA earnings this coming season, in addition to what she will receive through endorsements and other partnerships, which has been reported to already exceed $3 million," the league spokesperson said.

Beyond the rookie base scale salary, she'll also make earnings through league and team marketing agreements.

Though Clark is likely to rake in much more through endorsements and sponsorships, outrage simmered on social media over the glaring salary disparity between the WNBA and the NBA.

Hoda Kotb, host of NBC’s “TODAY” show, said Tuesday morning: “They’ve already sold out games. She had the highest ratings, her teams and the Final Four had the highest ratings — higher than the World Series, higher than the NBA. So I was like, what is she going to get paid? Because finally, you can get a real paycheck. Then I saw it and was like, this can’t be right.”

Co-host Jenna Bush Hager added: “Honestly the gap is so jarring. ... We’re talking about equal pay. That ain't even close.”

They said things are likely to change in the future as games have already sold out and viewership, which has historically lagged behind the NBA, has soared, partly on account of Clark’s celebrity.  

President Joe Biden said on social media Tuesday, "Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all."

"But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share," he said. "It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve."

Male athletes also chimed in.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson shared a post about Clark's pay on X, adding: “These ladies deserve so much more … Praying for the day.” 

One user wrote on X , “To the people saying it doesn’t matter what Caitlin Clarks salary is because she will be making millions through endorsement, it actually does matter.”  

Another wrote , “Presumably she’ll make bank on endorsements but Caitlin Clark’s WNBA salary is less than that of a union nurse, teacher, or cop.”

Journalist Lisa Ling wrote on Instagram : “Steph Curry makes more per game than what Caitlin Clark is making for 4 years! With the toll sports and travel take on women’s bodies, is this even a living wage? I know WNBA games have not brought in comparable numbers by any stretch of the imagination, but this is disgraceful. Do better for all of our women athletes!” 

There are some key differences, though, with the leagues. The WNBA plays a shorter 40-game, four-month season compared the to NBA’s six months. The NBA has also existed longer (and has more teams) and is now finishing its 78th season, while the WNBA is in its 28th. 

A big chunk of the money behind the game comes from media rights. The NBA’s national media deals see the league cash in $2.8 billion this year, while the WNBA will make around $65 million this year for its media rights. 

The fight for more equitable pay in women’s basketball has been a long one. 

“From a salary standpoint, it’d be great for the women to be able to make more money,” WNBA legend Lisa Leslie said in a conversation with fellow basketball stars LeBron James and Draymond Green on an October 2022 episode of “ The Shop: Uninterrupted .”

“It’s a lot of work — it’s a lot of hard work. I think I saw something that said one player that makes maybe $12 million on an NBA team can cover the whole WNBA’s salaries. And so that’s kind of crazy,” she added.

Breaking News Reporter

Mega Millions winning numbers for April 19 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $178 million

The  Mega Millions jackpot for Friday's drawing has climbed to $178 million after no one won the top prize on Tuesday.

The winning numbers were scheduled to be drawn around 11 p.m. ET on Friday, and we will have the results below as soon as they're available.

If a lucky player wins the Mega Millions jackpot on Friday, they can choose to walk away with an estimated $80.4 million in an after-tax lump sum.

A few weeks ago, a player in New Jersey won the first Mega Millions jackpot of the year : a whopping $1.13 billion.

Check below for the winning numbers for Friday's, April 19:

Shhhh! If you win the Mega Millions jackpot, be quiet. Then, do this.

In search of Mega Millions numbers? Recent lottery results may offer clues to this jackpot

Mega Millions winning numbers for 4/19/24 drawing

The winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing for Friday, April 19, were: 46, 34, 30, 19, 58. Megaball: 3

Megaplier: 3X

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by  Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network .

Did anyone win Mega Millions? 

Mega Millions players the jackpot is rising again! With no jackpot winners in Friday's drawing Tuesday's jackpot is worth an estimated $202 million. There was one lucky player in Florida who won $1 million after having all the correct white ball numbers for the Match 5.

To view the list of past winners, visit the Mega Millions website. 

What is the Megaplier?

Most states offer the Megaplier feature, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four and five times.

It costs an additional $1 per play. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, five are marked with "2X," three with "4X" and one with "5X."

How to play the Mega Millions

In order to purchase a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online. 

To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25. 

If you believe the odds are against you, ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick," the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you. 

Players can add the "Megaplier" for $1, which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday. 

There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:

• 2X , five balls
• 3X , six balls
• 4X , three balls
• 5X , one ball

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through  Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network , in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit  jackpocket.com/tos  for full terms .

Tax Day deals 2024: Score discounts, freebies at Krispy Kreme, Hooters, Potbelly, more

Tax Day is almost here and fast food and sit-down restaurants across the U.S. are offering customers freebies and discounts to celebrate the occasion.

Whether you've already filed your taxes and are waiting on your tax return , or need to file a tax extension , customers can get free or discounted treats at places like Hooters and Krispy Kreme , among others.

Tax Day always falls on April 15 unless that date falls on a weekend or holiday. This year, the date falls on a Monday.

Here's where you can get deals and freebies on Monday to celebrate the end of tax season in 2024.

Tax Day 2024 live updates: What to know about extensions, free file, deadlines and refunds

Krispy Kreme offers a 'sweet tax break' on Tax Day

On April 15, Krispy Kreme customers can purchase an Original Glazed or assorted dozen in shop and receive a second Original Glazed dozen for just the prices of sales tax in their state, the company said in a news release.

This is the second consecutive year Krispy Kreme has offered this deal on Tax Day and there is a limit of two dozen per customer in-shop and a limit of one when ordering online for pickup or delivery via Krispy Kreme's app or website, the company said.

Hooters offers special dine-in deals on food, drinks on Tax Day

Customers who visit a Hooters location and purchase 10 wings on April 15 will receive 10 wings of any style for free. The company is also offering $4 Dos Equis draft beers and $4 Legendary Margaritas.

Additionally, HootClub Rewards loyalty members are eligible to receive a free dessert up to $6.99 in value on April 15 only.

GrubHub offers delivery discount on Tax Day

GrubHub is looking to help customers survive tax season by offering a $15 discount on delivery orders worth $25 or more on April 15.

Diners can use the code TAXBREAK upon checkout on qualifying offers. The deal is available nationwide on April 15 only, and only to the first 1,000 customers who redeem it.

Potbelly offers customers free sandwich on Tax Day

Potbelly shops nationwide are aiming to ease Tax Day blues by offering customers a free Original sandwich with the purchase of any Original or Big sized sandwich on Monday, April 15, the company said.

Customers can redeem the free sandwich at Potbelly.com or through the Potbelly app using the promo code BOGO.

Arby's offers free sandwich on Tax Day as part of Free Sandwich Month

Customers can get a free sandwich as part of Arby's Free Sandwich Month on Tax Day, the company said.

Every week in April, Arby's Rewards members will have one free sandwich loaded into their account. To redeem the free sandwich deal, orders must be placed online or on the Arby's App with any purchase.

If you are not an Arby's Rewards member, you can still sign up and receive the deal for the remaining weeks of the month.

Dave & Buster's offers 50% off all food starting April 15 to celebrate new menu

Dave & Buster's is offering 50% off all food from April 15 through April 28 to customers who join the D&B Rewards program to celebrate the company's new menu launch.

The new menu features more than 20 new items, including Loaded Barbacoa Fries and Cajun Shrimp Pasta, among others, the company said in a news release.

California Pizza Kitchen offers Tax Day discount

California Pizza Kitchen is offering customers $10 off when they spend $40 on Monday in support of those who "may literally need a Tax Break," the company said.

In order to receive the offer, customers need to sign up for CPK Rewards . The promotion is available for dine-in and takeout, the company said.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse offers discount on Tax Day

BJ's Restaurants is helping customers celebrate the end of tax season by offering $10 off any take-out and delivery orders of $40 or more on Monday using promo code 10OFF40, the company said.

TGI Fridays creates new limited-time drink to celebrate end of tax season

From now through April 30, participating TGI Friday's locations are offering customers a new limited-time cocktail and a BOGO entrée offer.

The new drink is called the Tax Break and it features 1800 Silver Tequila, citrus, agave, strawberry and passionfruit. It is served with a hitchhiker of Hennessy V.S. to "soften the blow of owing money - or to rejoice in celebrating a refund," the company said in a news release.

Additionally, Fridays Rewards members can get a free entrée alongside the purchase of an entrée of equal or lesser value, the company said.

Paris Baguette offers free pastry on Tax Day

Rewards members can get a free pastry with any beverage purchase on April 15 at participating U.S. Paris Baguette locations, the company said.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria offers discount for Tax Day

Customers can enjoy $10.40 off any purchase of $30 or more at Grimaldi's locations across the country on Monday, April 15, the company said.

The offer is valid for dine-in, to-go and online orders with code TAXDAY24. The offer is valid at participating locations, excluding New York, New Jersey, Flagstaff, Arizona; and Las Vegas Palazzo, the company said.

Great American Cookies offers BOGO deal on Tax Day

Great American Cookies is offering customers a buy one, get one free on chocolate chip cookie cake slices, the company told USA TODAY.

The deal is available at participating locations in-store nationwide.

Get free breadsticks at Fazoli's with purchase on Tax Day

Fazoli's is offering six free breadsticks with a $5 purchase at participating locations with code Tax24, the company said.

Round Table Pizza offers discount on Tax Day

Round Table Pizza is offering customers 15% off any order $40 or more at participating locations on Monday, April 15.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].