When Taiwanese tourist Lin Rongyi landed in Hangzhou March 21, he got an unexpected gift: travel coupons worth 300 yuan.
After reading the coupons printed in traditional Chinese, he was positive he'd be able to use them.
"I felt so happy and surprised when I got these coupons. I never knew this before getting off the plane. Thank Hangzhou Municipal Government very much for its hospitality. Tourists of our group all feel so honored."
The Hangzhou Municipal Government is distributing 60,000 traveling coupons worth four-and-a-half million RMB, mainly to Taiwanese tourists. The coupons can be used in more than 800 designated shops, parks, restaurants and teahouses.
As an extra-added touch, the coupons have impressed Taiwanese visitors deeply.
"For the consideration of Taiwan tourists' reading habit, we use traditional Chinese to print on these coupons. Since we know some Taiwan people really have difficulty in reading simplified Chinese," said Chen Jianwei, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, Hangzhou Municipal People's Government.
An 84-year-old Taiwanese visitor who grew up in Hangzhou says he's happy to get a few discounts after so many years away, “"Yes, I know how to use these coupons. And I want to have a good time in Hangzhou, since great changes have taken place here."
The Hangzhou Municipal Government has set up special coupon distribution areas both in the airport and online. Taiwanese tourists can receive the vouchers by showing their Mainland Travel Permits. The coupons will be valid until May 31,2010, Xinhua News Agency correspondents reported from Hangzhou. |