Beijing becomes top choice for Taiwanese tourists

According to the latest statistics from Beijing Tourism Administration, in the first half of 2009, the number of Taiwanese tourists coming to Beijing grew by 40 percent year–on–year, showing that Taiwan has listed Beijing as a top travel destination. Seizing this hard-won opportunity, Beijing plans to offer more preferential policies to Taiwanese tourists in the second half of 2009.

A group organized by Beijing Tourism Administration is launching a series of tourism campaigns in Taiwan. Targeting the Taiwanese market, Beijing Tourism Administration chose five colorful themes to introduce new Beijing and its new scenic spots, meanwhile, they also prepared various preferential policies to attract Taiwanese tourists to explore and discover the region.

In cooperation with Richmond Tours, Settour, Cola Tours and Phoenix Tours, the four major travel agencies in Taiwan, Beijing Tourism Administration introduced five tours to meet the demands of Taiwanese tourists. These tours include: luxurious tours, which allow people to enjoy imperial delicacies and check-in to five star hotels; classical Beijing tours where tourists can visit world heritage sites like the Great Wall and the Palace Museum as well as the architectural wonders of the Olympic Games; family tours which promote learning and knowledge through ten museum visits across Beijing; bicycle trips along the Olympic route and the boulevard by Wenyu River, and an all–round exquisite business tour treating tourists to delicacies, spas, shopping trips and art.

Besides these five themed tours, Beijing Tourism Administration will also join with 21 five–star hotels like Beijing Hotel, Beijing International Hotel, Amanresorts, Commune by the Great Wall and the Emperor, to offer accommodation discounts. With a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, Taiwanese tourists can check in to these luxurious hotels at preferential prices, with discounts of up to 80 percent.

The latest statistics from the tourism bureau of Taiwan’s “Ministry of Transportation and Communications,” show that the Chinese mainland has received over 4.4 million Taiwanese tourists. Now surpassing Japan and Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland has become the top travel destination for Taiwanese tourists in Asia.

Translated by LOTO