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)