Tourism industry hails direct air links

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-16-2008 14:15

The tourism industry across the Strait is also hailing the launch of the direct air links which will substantially save time and costs for tourists. The industry hopes the Taiwan trips will receive a new boost since they were launched in July.

The tourism industry across the Strait is also hailing the  launch of the direct air links which will substantially save  time and costs for tourists.

By a rough calculation made by Taiwan Travel Association, the direct air route will save tourists 20 or 30 percent on flight costs. For example, let's take an 8-day Taiwan Tour. The package is now priced at 10,000 yuan, which is 2,000 yuan less than before for mainland travellers. And for Taiwan tourists heading for the other side of the Strait, they are set to make a saving of 3,000 yuan on the cost of a package tour. The tourism industry says more diversified products are a possibility after the launch of direct air links.

Liu Ningrui, manager of Taiwan Tour Dept, Xi'an CITS, said, "Now that they don't have to make a detour via Hong Kong, our customers can spend an extra half day in Taiwan. They will have more time to shop around in Taipei"

It is estimated that nearly 33,000 tourists from the mainland visited Taiwan since the island opened its door to mainland travellers in July. That means an average of 300 tourists from the mainland toured around Taiwan each day. And the number is expected to double.

Editor:Zhang Ning