Taiwan’s domestic travel subsidies begin Sept. 1, with extra deals for Matsu

Matsu is offering an unusually broad package of travel incentives as Taiwan’s domestic tourism subsidy program begins on Sept. 1.

The Lienchiang County government, its four township offices and local businesses are combining discounts on transport, accommodation, food, sightseeing and shopping. The New Taima Star ferry will offer a “buy the outbound trip, get the return trip free” deal, bringing the lowest round-trip price for two traveling together to NT$1,680.

From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, visitors staying at participating legal hotels from Sunday through Thursday can receive NT$1,000 off the first night and NT$1,500 off the second. The maximum hotel discount for two consecutive nights is NT$2,500. Each month, 1,000 birthday celebrants will also receive NT$1,200 vouchers, which can be combined with the TPASS program. Payments at designated businesses through Taiwan Pay or the Taiwan Mobile Payment app will qualify for an additional 10% cash or points reward.

The incentives extend across the islands. Nangan businesses are offering discounts and gifts, including reduced admission to the Blue Tears Ecological Museum and check-in gifts from Matsu Distillery. Beigan will give weekday hotel guests limited-edition souvenir items, including a fishing hat for two-night stays.

Juguang will offer character blind boxes, stamp-collection rewards and 310 free places in intertidal ecology or village-guided tours. Dongyin will run a photo-frame check-in promotion through Oct. 31, followed by a social-media travel-recording campaign. The Matsu National Scenic Area Administration will also promote walking tours linking trails, settlements, local industries and wartime sites, while Lienchiang’s Cultural Affairs Department plans eight arts programs and a 40% discount on off-season attraction tickets.