After a nine-day visit to Taiwan, the Chinese mainland tourism
inspection delegation comprising 65 delegates from 30 mainland
provinces, municipalities and regions left the island for Macao on
Sunday.
Shao Qiwei, head of the China Tourism Association and also head
of the delegation, said before leaving the island that the mainland
is ready to send tourists to Taiwan, particularly since the central
government permitted civil tours of the island on May 3 this
year.
He said that Taiwan has adequate tourism facilities, a high
standard of services and a sound mechanism for guaranteeing
tourists' security, noting that Chinese mainland tourists would be
well received.
Major mainland travel agencies have already begun planning tours
catering to customers with different demands. Tourism and other
relevant departments have also been studying corresponding
regulations for mainland citizens' tours to the island, according
to Shao.
Some travel agencies have reportedly been dealing with
reservation inquiries, indicating that mainland tourists are keen
on visiting the island as soon as possible, Shao added.
The mainland delegation arrived in Taiwan on October 28 to study
the feasibility of opening tourist routes to the island for
mainland tourists. During the trip, the delegation visited tourist
sites, hotels and related facilities, transportation, shopping and
entertainment facilities, and inspected service levels and tourist
safety conditions.
(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2005)