20,000 sets of "Taiwan Happy Travel" packages snapped up by mainland tourists; both sides optimistic about the development of independent travel

▲ The Taiwan Happy Travel – Golden Fulong Line sold out its first 20,000 sets in the mainland. (Photo / Provided by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation)

Reported and photographed by Chen Ruizhong, Taipei

Just how much do mainland tourists love Taiwan? According to data from the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation, since the opening of independent travel for mainland tourists in 2011, the number exceeded 500,000 in 2013, with nearly 3,000 visitors traveling independently to Taiwan on average each day. The Tourism Bureau’s actively promoted "Taiwan Happy Travel – Golden Fulong Line" also achieved pre-sales of 20,000 sets after its first promotion in the mainland.

Liu Xilin, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportationsaid at a press conference held on May 6 that the initial purpose of Taiwan Happy Travel was to connect various scenic spots in Taiwan while also achieving energy-saving and carbon-reduction goals. With active international promotion, it has also helped the world better understand Taiwan’s friendly environment. As the number of mainland tourists traveling independently to Taiwan continues to grow, it is hoped that through independent travel and Taiwan Happy Travel, visitors can explore Taiwan more deeply, boost the overall tourism industry, and that Taiwan Happy Travel will aim for 100,000 sets in overseas sales in the future.

▲ Liu Xilin, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation, announced Taiwan Happy Travel's strong sales figures.

China International Travel Service (Jiangsu), which performed well in this pre-sale event,Deputy General Manager Cai Huo?,also came to Taiwan to receive an award. In an interview, Cai Huo? said that currently in the East China market, especially those departing fromShanghai,there are the most independent travelers. These tourists prefer itineraries where travel agencies package hotels + attractions + transportation, and the most popular combination is the“Golden Fulong Line”, followed byKenting.Cai Huo? also revealed that his Jiangsu branch alone handles up to 30,000 group tourists to Taiwan each month, so he is very optimistic about the development of the independent travel market.

% Cai Huo?, Deputy General Manager of China International Travel Service (Jiangsu), receiving an award in Taiwan (right).

The "Golden Fulong Line" runs from Ruifang through Jiufen to Fulong, offering the best transportation convenience for visitors to Taiwan. It officially launched on June 4, 2011, and has been a popular route since its introduction. As of April 2014, the number of passengers had exceeded 580,000, ranking first among all 34 routes in Taiwan.

This route includes famous attractions such as Jiufen and Fulong, along with events like the Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival held annually in May and June in the Northeast Coast, the Caoling Historic Trail Silvergrass Season in November, and year-round cycling tours through the Old Caoling Tunnel. The Taiwan Happy Travel package promoted in the mainland is priced at NT$299 (about RMB 60), including a one-day bus pass, Taiwan Railways tickets, a bicycle voucher, and a Fulong lunchbox discount coupon. For more information about the "Taiwan Happy Travel – Golden Fulong Line", please visit theofficial website.