The launch of regular direct flights between China and Taiwan has been hailed as a symbol of progress and a boon to tourism, but industry workers are not all convinced.
Around 700 Chinese tourists arrived on the island to much ceremony over the weekend after taking the charter route, seen as ushering in a new start and the most visible sign yet in the thawing of cross-strait relations.
Tourism officials hope the visitors, besides promoting cordial exchanges, will bring in NT$60 billion (US$1.97 billion) annually, a big boost to local trade.
PHOTO: CNA
But some tour operators are skeptical.
“The agreements might look good on paper but I dare not think how much I can profit from that with a slow economy, rising inflation and high fuel prices,” said Wu Shih-chih, who rents yachts to tourists.
“I will not consider buying a new yacht or other equipment unless I can see a steady increase in business within six months,” said Wu, who has four boats taking visitors around Sun Moon Lake.
Others are concerned that Chinese tourists, sometimes seen as loud and ill mannered, could drive away other international travelers.
“We have fewer Japanese visitors since the government opened up to more mainlanders,” lamented a bus driver who works for a leading travel agency in Taipei.
“I am not thrilled at receiving the mainlanders because they can be proud and impolite, they think China is so important in the world,” said the driver, who asked not to be named.
Jack Lee, manager of a Taipei travel agency, said he often gets complaints from restaurants or shops that Chinese tour groups are too noisy or pay no attention to no-smoking signs.
“Some waiters also complained that Chinese customers throw bones or leftovers on the floor instead of leaving them on the plates or let cigarette ash fall everywhere,” Lee said, although most were willing to oblige when told.
Restaurateur Liu Ming-sung was blatant in expressing his dislike for Chinese tourists, putting up a sign reading “refusing Chinese communists” at his establishment in Kaohsiung City.
“I think President Ma [Ying-jeou (馬英九)] is wrong to see opening up to mainland investments and tourists as an elixir for Taiwan’s economy,” Liu said. “Let’s not forget that China is targeting Taiwan with thousands of missiles and they are still our enemies. Taiwan might be at risk under such rash moves.”
His sentiments mirror those of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), whose pro-independence rhetoric had angered Beijing.
There will be 36 round-trip flights across the Taiwan Strait weekly, operating from Friday to Monday between six Taiwanese airports and five in China.
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