Source: CCTV.com

04-17-2008 11:31

Taiwan is expected to open up to mainland visitors in July. And the local travel industry is already preparing for the influx of travellers. Mainland tourists are expected to give a big boost to Taiwan's economy.

Taiwan is expected to open up to mainland visitors in July. And the local travel industry is already preparing for the influx of travellers.

Taiwan's newly-elected leader, Ma Ying-Jeou, has promised to allow mainland tourists to Taiwan by July. Although Ma has yet to be sworn in, the tourism sector is readying itself for some very lucrative business. Industry insiders estimate it will bring about 66 billion New Taiwan dollars in cash income annually.

Yao Ta-Guang, Chairman of Taiwan Travel Industry Association said "On average, a mainland visitor spends two thousand US dollars, or 60 thousand New Taiwan dollars, here including their group fee and personal consumption. If there are 1.1 million visitors to Taiwan from the mainland annually, we can expect 66 billion New Taiwan dollars every year."

Industry insiders say Taiwan has more than enough capacity to accommodate 3000 mainland visitors every day starting in July.

Xu Mengyu, Vice Chairman of Taiwan Tourism Vehicle Association said "Assuming there are 3000 mainland visitors, one vehicle can carry 30 people, only 100 vehicles are needed per day."

Taiwan tourism authorities have required all hotels and restaurants to provide menus with simplified Chinese characters and to train their staff to better serve mainland visitors.

Tourism officials say they are dedicated to safeguarding traveller's safety and improving the quality of their travel. They have approved 142 travel agents to receive mainland visitors, and 122 of them have signed tourism self-discipline pacts.

Editor:Xiong Qu