Taiwan welcomes ASEAN travellers with open arms

THE Taiwan government is aiming to boost MICE arrivals from South-east Asia after making it easier for citizens in that region to obtain visas.

Announced in June, this new policy permits selected passport holders from Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to apply online for a ROC Travel Authorization Certificate, which grants them stays in Taiwan for up to 30 days, and multiple re-entries over a 90-day period.

Meanwhile, citizens of Thailand and Brunei have been granted visa-free access to Taiwan since August 1. This has been in place for countries like Malaysia and Singapore.

The policy also aims to expand a Tourism Bureau programme that simplifies the visa application process for South-east Asian groups, and extend online visa approvals.

Speaking to TTGmice e-Weekly, Paul Wang, secretary general of Taiwan Convention Exhibition Association, said: “This has helped to make it more convenient for business travellers because visa application is one of their major considerations when they (deliberate on) destinations.”

According to Wang, Indonesia and Thailand are key markets the destination intends to court MICE travellers from.

Manager of Meet Taiwan, Kyleen Hsiech, said the bureau would be participating in more MICE-related tradeshows and exhibitions in selected South-east Asian countries to further raise awareness about Taiwan.

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