COVID-19: Reward for travel companies elevated to NT$1.1bn

  • By Shelley Shan / Workers reporter

The Tourism Bureau on Monday elevated the total reward for vacation companies that arrange the most domestic tour groups for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic to NT$1.1 billion (US$39.6 million) from NT$800 million introduced formerly. &#13

Men and women can also use vacation vouchers, which would be issued shortly, to pay out for team tour service fees, accommodation and other expenses as very long as the companies are supplied by certified operators, it extra.&#13

Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) on Thursday claimed that the bureau would allocate NT$2 billion to fund the distribution of travel vouchers — NT$1.2 billion on the vouchers them selves and NT$800 million on incentive bonuses for vacation businesses that catch the attention of the most domestic vacationers. &#13

On the other hand, the announcement drew criticism from little and medium-sized vacation agencies, which explained that the system would only profit substantial vacation agencies that can afford significant internet marketing campaigns to bring in prospects.&#13

Sector associates lauded the enhance in reward funds, as nicely as the determination to allow people today to use vouchers far more flexibly. &#13

“We thank the federal government for listening to travel brokers and creating changes appropriately,” Higher-Top quality Travel Affiliation chairman Ringo Lee (李奇嶽) said.&#13

The federal government could subsidize 35,000 domestic tour groups if every single tour team were being to get a subsidy of NT$30,000, Lee reported. &#13

On regular, just about every vacation agency would have about 10 tour groups receiving governing administration subsidies, he claimed. &#13

The quantity of tour teams that can be sponsored with govt money ought to count on the size of vacation companies, he added.&#13

“We also hope the governing administration will keep on subsidizing the salaries of staff members at travel businesses, as we are still unable to resume standard operations mainly because of the government’s disease prevention rules,” he additional. &#13

Lion Travel general supervisor Andy Yu (游國珍) reported that more vacation industry operators are eyeing company options that would be developed via the issuance of vacation vouchers, now that they can be utilised to include a wide variety of travel bills.&#13

“We will boost the quality of domestic tour deals to attract buyers, but we hope the authorities can present extra incentives to inspire vacation businesses to manage top quality theme excursions,” Yu claimed. &#13

The ministry should consider altering the amount of passengers permitted on tour buses, provided that it has been easing limitations on other forms of transport, Yu mentioned. &#13

Only up to 20 travellers are permitted on tour buses, in accordance with the Central Epidemic Command Center’s (CECC) disease prevention guidelines. &#13

In linked news, the ministry on Monday comfortable sickness avoidance limitations for amusement parks, national scenic regions and railway systems.&#13

Visitors to national scenic spots can swim and surf as long as they observe social distancing and other illness prevention recommendations, and wear a mask when not in the water, it explained, incorporating that qualified business enterprise operators can arrange snorkeling and scuba-diving excursions. &#13

Website visitors can use the locker rooms and showers on problem that they present call details and notice disorder prevention suggestions, it extra.&#13

Men and women can also obtain swimming swimming pools and other water sports activities amenities at amusement parks in accordance with the suggestions stipulated by the CECC and community wellbeing officials, the ministry said.&#13

The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) and Taiwan Superior Velocity Rail Corp (THSRC) can provide up to 80 % of the seats on categorical trains, up from 70 percent, it stated, incorporating that ingesting and ingesting would be allowed in non-paid areas inside of TRA and THSRC stations and on the TRA’s tourist trains.&#13

Tour buses that are employed as shuttle buses by enterprises or federal government organizations can have the variety of travellers pre-accredited by the ministry.&#13

Dine-in prospects at highway and freeway services spots, non-paid out locations within railway stations and accommodations are necessary to adhere to CECC tips, the ministry explained.

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