Taiwan Tourism Board Singapore Free Gifts How To Receive Travel Vouchers And Discounts In 2017

The Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore office has offered complimentary gifts and vouchers to travelers visiting Taiwan from Singapore. This program, designed to enhance the travel experience, provided eligible visitors with various valuable items that could be used during their stay. Understanding the eligibility requirements, available freebies, and redemption process allowed Singapore-based travelers to maximize their Taiwan trip benefits.

Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore: Overview

The Taiwan Visitors Association operates an office in Singapore specifically to assist travelers planning trips to Taiwan. Located in Chevron House at 30 Raffles Place, #10-01 (postal code 048622), the office served as a resource point for Singapore travelers to obtain not only free gifts but also brochures, maps, and travel information. The office was staffed primarily by Taiwanese individuals who were proficient in both English and Mandarin, with Mandarin being the more efficient language for communication.

The office maintained regular hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, making it accessible for most travelers to visit before their departure. The nearest MRT station was Raffles Place, specifically at exit C, providing convenient access for public transportation. Visitors to the office needed to exchange for a visitor pass at Chevron House's security counter, requiring them to bring along their photo identity card.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the free gifts offered by the Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore office, travelers needed to meet several specific criteria. These requirements were consistently enforced and included:

• Travel arrangements must be "free and easy," meaning independent travel rather than package tours
• Must have purchased an air ticket from Singapore to Taiwan
• Must have booked at least one night of accommodation in Taiwan

These eligibility requirements ensured that the gifts were targeted at genuine travelers who would benefit from the transportation and attraction vouchers. The office staff would verify these requirements by examining travelers' documents or emails on their smartphones, typically showing flight booking confirmations and accommodation reservations.

Types of Free Gifts Available in 2017

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau provided the Singapore office with free gifts on a quarterly basis, with different items offered throughout the year. While specific offerings varied by season, several consistent freebies were available during 2017 based on previous years' offerings and the November 2017 update:

Transportation Vouchers

• One-way bus vouchers between Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei City, valued at approximately NT$125 (equivalent to about S$5.30)
• These vouchers provided convenient and affordable transportation from the airport to the city center, helping travelers start their trip without immediate expense

Attraction Discounts

• Complimentary entrance tickets to theme parks, most notably Window on China Theme Park (小人國主題樂園)
• Discount vouchers for various attractions, allowing travelers to experience popular tourist destinations at reduced cost

Other Potential Freebies

Based on past offerings, other freebies that might have been available during 2017 included: - EasyCard (a stored-value card for public transportation and retail purchases) - Fruit picking vouchers from selected fruit farms - Various other promotional vouchers depending on seasonal offerings

The specific free gifts rotated quarterly, meaning the available items changed throughout the year. Travelers could not select which freebie they received but were given the current offering. According to an update in November 2017, one-way Taoyuan Airport vouchers were still being offered at that time.

Redemption Process

Redeeming the free gifts from the Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore office followed a straightforward process that required travelers to prepare certain documents and information beforehand:

Documents to Bring

• Air ticket booking confirmation (electronic or printed)
• Accommodation booking confirmation for at least one night in Taiwan
• Photo identity card for security pass exchange
• Smartphone to show digital confirmations

Information Required

During the redemption process, travelers needed to provide the following information, which was entered into a Google Form using the office's laptop: - Full name - Date of birth - Email address - Air ticket booking reference number - Number of travelers in the group - Departure date

For group travel, it was not necessary for all travelers to be present during redemption. The lead traveler could bring the booking documents containing all travelers' names and redeem gifts for the entire group.

Redemption Steps

1. Call the office in advance to confirm current freebies and availability
2. Visit the office during operating hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays)
3. Exchange for a visitor pass at Chevron House's security counter using photo ID
4. Present travel documents to staff for verification
5. Complete the Google Form with required information
6. Receive the current free gift offering for the quarter

It was important to note that travelers could redeem free gifts only once per trip, regardless of group size. This policy helped ensure fair distribution of the limited number of available gifts each quarter.

Additional Benefits Beyond Free Gifts

While the complimentary gifts were the primary attraction, the Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore office offered additional value to travelers:

Travel Resources

• Brochures and detailed maps of Taiwan attractions
• Current information about events, festivals, and seasonal offerings
• Transportation guides and route planning assistance

Expert Assistance

The staff at the office provided helpful advice on various travel aspects, including: - Transportation options between different destinations - Recommendations for attractions suitable for different interests - Local insights and tips for a more authentic experience

Nearby Services

For travelers interested in currency exchange, money changers were available at The Arcade, located adjacent to Chevron House, providing a convenient opportunity to exchange Singapore dollars for New Taiwan Dollars before departure.

Tips for Successful Redemption

Based on travelers' experiences, several tips could help ensure a smooth redemption process:

1. Call Ahead: Before visiting the office, it was advisable to call +65 6223 6546 to confirm the current freebie offering. This helped avoid disappointment if the desired item was out of stock or if the seasonal offering wasn't useful for the traveler's plans.

2. Verify Document Requirements: Ensure that all necessary documents (flight and accommodation bookings) are readily available, either in printed form or accessible on a smartphone.

3. Plan Visit Timing: Visit the office well before the departure date to allow time for any potential issues with document verification or redemption process.

4. Allow Sufficient Time: The redemption process typically involved some waiting time, especially during peak travel seasons. Travelers should allocate at least 30-60 minutes for the entire visit.

5. Take Advantage of Resources: Beyond the free gift, the office offered valuable brochures and maps that could enhance trip planning. Travelers should take time to browse these materials.

6. Ask Questions: The staff was knowledgeable about Taiwan travel and could provide personalized recommendations based on travelers' interests and itineraries.

Conclusion

The Taiwan Tourism Board's Singapore office provided a valuable service to travelers through its free gifts program. By offering transportation vouchers, attraction discounts, and other promotional items, the program helped reduce initial travel expenses and enhanced the overall experience for Singapore visitors to Taiwan.

The eligibility requirements were straightforward, requiring proof of independent travel arrangements with flights from Singapore and at least one night's accommodation. The redemption process was simple, requiring basic documentation and information. While specific freebies rotated quarterly, items like airport transfer vouchers and theme park discounts remained consistently useful for most travelers.

For those planning trips to Taiwan in 2017, visiting the Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore office before departure represented an opportunity to obtain practical benefits that could be immediately utilized upon arrival. The combination of tangible gifts and expert travel advice made this program a valuable resource for Singapore travelers seeking to maximize their Taiwan experience.

Sources

1. Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore Office Information
2. Free Gifts for Travelers @ Taiwan Visitors Association
3. Taiwan to Gift Visitors Stored Value Cards, Hotel Vouchers
4. Taipei Taiwan Travel Guide