Taiwan is looking to further lift restrictions on Chinese tourists traveling independently from tour groups. Right now only tourists from a limited number of major cities in China can travel independently to Taiwan; people from other cities must travel with tour groups.
The Taiwan Strait Tourism Association has asked its Chinese counterpart to allow independent travel by people in second- or third-tier cities where cross-strait flights are already in place.
The association has already listed 15 cities. If the two sides are able to reach a consensus, more Chinese tourists will be able to visit Taiwan independent from tour groups starting in August at the earliest.
Chinese tourists make up the majority of inbound travellers. The number of Chinese tourist arrivals this year is likely to hit a new high, making an estimated 3.5 to 3.6 million visits. Their arrivals will greatly benefit the aviation and the hospitality industries, as well as the car rental business.
The Chinese cities of Lanzhou, Dongguan and Hohhot have expressed interest in being included in the list of cities suggested by Taiwan.