When it comes to a trip, I’m going to take it free, or all expenses un-paid, which is how I usually take them. Thankfully destinations across Europe and Asia are offering travelers attractive financial incentives to visit and boost tourism to pre-pandemic levels.
Destinations like Sicily, Finland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are giving away free flights, hotel accommodations, excursions, and even cash to lure in travelers. While this sounds like a scam, we promise you it’s definitely not.
How to take advantage of the initiatives from these destinations on your next vacay:
Sicily is reviving its “See Sicily” travel promotion for 2023, offering visitors a free extra night at an affiliated hotel when travelers book three nights, as well as 50% off a flight or ferry ride to the island and a free local excursion. Bookings must be made through a local travel agency for this promotion.
The flight discount is only applicable for trips departing before September 30, and the maximum discount is 100€ for domestic flights and 200€ for international flights.
Taiwan is launching a new promotion to attract tourists to the island. In February, Premier Chen Chien-Jen announced that $165 will be given to 500,000 visitors, while 90,000 tour groups receive $658. The initiative will launch on April 15, but the logistics of distributing the cash vouchers are still being finalized.
Taiwan has also launched a two-for-one deal on high-speed rail tickets for international tourists, with discounts on accommodation, site attraction tickets, and shopping. These initiatives are part of Taiwan’s goal to attract six million tourists this year and ten million visitors by 2025.
Other countries like Finland, which has been ranked the world’s happiest country for the fifth year in a row, are choosing 10 lucky applicants to attend a four-day “masterclass in happiness” at the Kuru Resort from June 12 to 15 this summer. Hong Kong is also giving 500,000 free plane tickets to visitors around the world, with a portion reserved for US travelers.
by travelers, for travelers.
