Taiwan has announced new rules for its travel bubble program with Palau, with an eye to boosting interest. New travel agencies have been approved to offer cheaper options in the 40K range. Officials also lifted a quarantine rule that was blamed for putting customers off.
With poor sales and a flight canceled, the CECC and Tourism Bureau called an emergency meeting to prop up the travel bubble. They’ve decided to waive the five days of “enhanced self-health management” that returning travelers face, on top of nine days of standard self-health management. Going forward, travelers will only need to complete 14 days of the standard form.
Liao Yu-chen
Travel agency marketing manager
Relaxing the self-health management requirements will make it easier for consumers to say yes. The schedule for departing flights will be adjusted to Wednesday and Saturday, to give more flexibility to consumers arranging their holiday.
Besides loosening quarantine rules, the Taiwan and Palau tourism bodies are adding two more travel agencies to the bubble program, up from six. The hope is that adding competition to the mix will bring prices down.
Liao Yu-chen
Travel agency marketing manager
We’ll keep the price point around NT$40,000 to NT$50,000. Now there’s more choice when it comes to the itineraries. Consumers can build their vacation by choosing their preferred itineraries and preferred hotels. Given that, there’s a lot of diversity in the offerings.
Member of the public
A price of NT$40,000 to NT$50,000 is easier to wrap your head around. But still, it’s on the high side.
Cheaper trips, easier quarantine, and more holiday packages to choose from. Officials hope that will be enough to pique interest. Tourism authorities in both countries plan to review the bubble program on a rolling basis.