The government will loosen regulations for Chinese tourists as part of the country's project to double the number of tourists this year, the Mainland Affairs Council said yesterday.
The Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has suggested the government allow Chinese tourists to travel in smaller groups. Under the current law, Chinese tourists can visit only in groups of at least five.
Council Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (
The government is also considering altering other regulations that tend to confuse Chinese tourists. Interviews with Chinese tourists to see if they are qualified to visit Taiwan and the conditions under which they are allowed to leave their groups will also change, the council said, without elaborating.
The government permitted Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan starting Jan. 1, 2001, but only those in the "third category" who study overseas or who have permanent residence in foreign countries have been allowed to travel here.
Beginning May 10, 2002, the government expanded travel opportunities to "second category" Chinese people who take overseas holidays or foreign business trips.
These tourists are permitted to come to Taiwan from the countries they are holidaying or doing business in.
The government also changed the definition of "third category" by including in it Chinese who have lived overseas, including Hong Kong and Macau, for more than four years and have work certificates.
Spouses, parents and children living with "third category" Chinese people were also able to visit Taiwan after May 10, 2002.
"In 2002, 2,324 Chinese tourists visited Taiwan. In 2003, the number was 12,808," Chen said.
"The number was not as high as expected. It was because China has not included Taiwan in its official list of permitted tourist destinations, according to the Tourism Bureau," Chen said.
China's official attitude on traveling to Taiwan caused its tourists to think twice about coming here, Chen said.
The government has to treat the country's security as the priority in discussions about how to loosen travel regulations to Chinese tourists, he added.
The Tourism Bureau reported that by Feb. 4 this year, 375 domestic travel agencies have applied for permits to serve Chinese tourists. The bureau has issued permits to 265 travel agencies and 44 of them are already offering services to Chinese tourists.
The bureau is conducting training sessions for travel guides who will work with Chinese tourists. So far 1,548 people have joined the training, according to the bureau.
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