Source: CCTV.com

12-18-2008 09:05

Direct air services between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan has brought a spike in the number people making trips to Taiwan. Mainland tourism agencies are able to offer cheaper travel packages to Taiwan.

Direct air services between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan has brought a spike in the number people making trips to  Taiwan.

The flight time from Beijing to Taipei has been cut by more than one hour. Planes are no longer required to fly through Hong Kong's airspace, a detour that the Taiwan authorities formerly insisted on, citing security concerns.

Many Beijingers have welcomed the move.

Tourism agencies say that given the current financial crisis, the direct cross-Strait flights started at exactly the right time.

Tourism agencies say that given the current financial crisis, the direct cross-Strait flights started at exactly the right time. They say lower costs allow more traveling options to be developed.

Taiwan tourism opened to Mainland travellers in July with only mediocre reception. Traveling around Taiwan costs up to ten-thousand yuan, much higher than to places like Hong Kong and Macao SARs, and most countries in Southeast Asia. The staggering cost hinders most from making the trip.