Taiwanese lawmakers yesterday visited the Beijing office of the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association, promising support for the office’s efforts in China to develop interest in travel to Taiwan.
Accompanied by Tourism Bureau Director-General Janice Lai (賴瑟珍), who is also chairwoman of the association, several members of the Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee made a tour of the office’s 24-hour service center before being briefed on the office’s operations.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Ken-te (陳根德) suggested that to attract more Chinese tourists to Taiwan, the Tourism Bureau should more appropriately allocate its resources and establish offices not only in Beijing but in the eastern, southern and central parts of China, and also chart a comprehensive development plan.
KMT Legislator Chu Fong-chi (朱鳳芝) said the trip was aimed at allowing the legislators to gain an understanding of the Beijing office’s operations.
Although the office has been only open for a month, Chu said it has achieved its potential on a limited budget by boosting Taiwan’s profile as a tourist destination for Chinese travelers.
But Chu also felt the Tourism Bureau should consider shifting more resources to China. She said that some of the Tourism Bureau’s 11 overseas offices are located in areas with small populations but manned with large staffs.
In contrast, given China’s large land area and big population, the manpower in the Beijing office is obviously insufficient, Chu said, and suggested that the Tourism Bureau expand its staff there.
Meanwhile, Lai said the tourism association is considering opening an office in Shanghai.
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