Cross-strait independent travelers set record in ‘golden week’

2017/10/13

The number of independent travelers visiting Taiwan from across the strait hit a record high during the eight-day “golden week” holidays, according to the National Immigration Agency under the Ministry of the Interior Oct. 11.
 
 Nearly 62,000 independent travelers journeyed across the strait during the Oct.1-8 holidays, marking the highest number since 2011 when Taiwan was opened to individual visitors from the mainland. A single-day record of 18,643 arrivals was also set Oct. 1, the NIA said.
 
 More than 80,000 cross-strait tourists visited Taiwan either as independent travelers or part of tour groups during the period, up 40 percent year-on-year, the agency added.
 
 The NIA also released statistics showing a total of 11,981 independent travelers visited Taiwan via the Mini Three Links during the same period, setting a record not seen since 2001. This year’s numbers were up 84 percent from 2016 and 34 percent from 2015.
 
 Initiated in 2001, the Mini Three Links program currently allows the movement of goods and people by ship between the outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu and several major ports in mainland China’s Fujian province.
 
 These statistics demonstrate the steady growth of cross-strait visitors to Taiwan, the NIA said, adding that the Republic of China (Taiwan) government continues to welcome tourists from the mainland and collaborate with tourism companies.
 
 During a Mini Three Links symposium jointly organized Sept. 30 by the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council and the Executive Yuan’s Kinmen-Matsu Joint Services Center, MAC Minister Chang Hsiao-yueh said the council will continue to coordinate with relevant authorities to discuss relaxing the criteria for those wishing to travel to the three outlying islands via the program.
 
 Chang also said it is important for both sides to seek meaningful communication. “A brighter outlook both for the Mini Three Links and development in Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu depends on the progress of peaceful and stable cross-strait relations,” she added.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=123019)