TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Tourism Administration announced plans Tuesday (Jan. 6) to transform 7-Eleven stores across the island into tourist service stations, with the program launching Feb. 6. Director Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) stated that foreign travelers will access travel information by scanning QR codes at convenience stores nationwide. The initiative marks a significant step in enhancing Taiwan's tourism infrastructure and visitor accessibility across the island.
The administration signed a memorandum of understanding with 7-Eleven to implement the initiative, placing "OhBear" (喔熊) QR codes next to ibon kiosks in 7,200 locations nationwide. Visitors scanning the code will connect to the Mobile Travel Service PWA, integrating travel information from northern and eastern Taiwan, as well as Kinmen, a Taiwan-controlled island near China. Chen stated they will expand the service to all 7,200 stores by the end of July, with an "OhBear" AI assistant providing precise travel details.
The Mobile Travel Service PWA consolidates travel information from various government agencies, including the Tourism Administration, the National Park Service (國家公園署), and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (農業部林業及保育署). Chen mentioned that further discussions are necessary to explore potential collaborations with other convenience store chains operating in Taiwan. The platform aims to provide comprehensive travel resources for foreign visitors through a single accessible interface at familiar retail locations.
The administration also announced the "Travel Taiwan Gold Card 2.0" campaign to attract foreign tourists, with a budget expected to reach NT$600 million (around US$19.05 million). Unlike its predecessor requiring airport redemption, this version allows travelers to participate in lotteries and redeem prizes at convenience stores across Taiwan. The campaign offers a travel spending voucher worth NT$5,000 (around US$159) exclusively for returning visitors who bring friends to Taiwan, although details remain under development. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.5)