Taiwan and China ready to open up doors to Chinese tourists

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on December 1, 2006. It reports that according to the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan and China have reached consensus on technical issues related to allowing Chinese tourists into Taiwan. Representatives from both sides are expected to start formal negotiations soon to sign an agreement.

Indeed, a Chinese official confirmed that the first group of Chinese tourists might be able to visit Taiwan as early as late December or early 2007.

Meanwhile, a Beijing-based newspaper reported that the Chinese government has selected 15 qualified travel agencies to handle the Taiwan-bound tourism. The selection criteria included the size of business, reception capability, and credit-worthiness. The 15 agencies include 8 travel agencies in Beijing, 6 in Shanghai and Guangzhou, and 1 in Hong Kong. The formulation of related legalities for Taiwan-bound tourism has also been completed, including the charter for Cross-Taiwan Strait Travel Exchange Association, guidelines for Taiwan-bound travel, and management policies for Taiwanese tour leaders.

According to a Beijing-based travel agency, the allocation of the daily quota of 1,000 Chinese tourists among the 15 qualified travel agencies is still not finalized. Initially, there will be 2 major Taiwan-bound packaged tours -- a 7-day, 6-night package that covers famous scenic spots such as the Sun Moon Lake and Alishan (Mt Ali), and a 10-day, 9-night package for around-the-island touring. Both of these packaged tours are price-tagged at 10,000 Chinese yuan.