Mainland pledges to increase toursits to Taiwan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-26 15:39

TAIPEI -- The Chinese mainland would try to increase the number of mainland tourists to Taiwan in near future, a mainland official said Thursday.

Shao Qiwei, director of the mainland-based Cross-Strait Tourism Communication Association (CSTCA), said the 113 newly-accredited travel agencies allowed to sell Taiwan tours on the mainland will start organizing tourist groups to the island from March this year.

The 113 agencies were approved by the CSTCA in mid February. A total of 146 travel agencies from 25 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities were allowed to sell Taiwan tours so far.

Addressing the opening of a two-day cross-Straits tourism symposium held in Taipei, Shao said the mainland also welcomed Taiwan tourists to visit the other side of the Straits.

He urged the tourist industry on both sides of the Straits to strengthen confidence and take active measures to cut losses inflicted on the industry by the global financial crisis.

Shao suggested both sides could cooperate and beef up tourism promotion, promote cruise trips, and to include Hong Kong and Macao in the travel routes.