Will China cut the number of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan by 95%? Tourism Bureau: Monitoring closely

▲Mainland tourists are currently the main source of visitors to Taiwan. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

By Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive Report

Regarding media reports today (October 6) stating “Taiwan Election Looms: China Slashes Mainland Tourist Numbers to Taiwan by 95%,” the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau said that as early as early September this year, it had received feedback from travel agencies indicating that the mainland side might implement restrictions on the number of group mainland tourists visiting Taiwan between the end of this year and about one month before next year’s election.

According to rumors among travel agencies, the restriction period may fall between December 16, 2015, and January 16, 2016, and the number of group tourists may be reduced by up to 50%. In response to these rumors, the Tourism Bureau has used the cross-strait tourism “small two associations” communication mechanism to verify with the mainland side. The mainland side only stated that during Taiwan’s election period, it will advise mainland tour operators and tourists to avoid scheduling trips or engaging in free activities near election campaign areas to prevent unnecessary disputes and inconveniences.It has not yet given a direct response confirming that the aforementioned group tourist number restrictions will be implemented.

The Tourism Bureau noted that based on information from groups that have previously engaged in visit exchanges and travel agencies, during past elections the mainland side has generally sought to avoid arranging visits by mainland individuals to Taiwan close to election periods, in order to prevent political issues triggered by the elections from leading to disputes and inconveniences. However, group tourist travel has not been affected so far.

As of October 6, the queue for processing entry permits for group mainland tourists visiting Taiwan has reached up to November 9, and there has been no observed decrease in the number of applicants for entry permits. Additionally, travelers who have already obtained entry permits can enter Taiwan within the validity period of their documents. Furthermore, statistics show that the total number of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan from January to August this year has already exceeded 6.71 million. Even if the mainland were to implement short-term restrictions on group tourist numbers after mid-to-late December this year, given the proximity to the end of the year, the overall impact on the total number of annual visitors to Taiwan is still expected to be limited. The bureau is closely monitoring subsequent developments.

The Tourism Bureau also stated that it continues to actively strengthen marketing efforts across all inbound tourism markets, striving for synchronized growth in all visitor segments. Coupled with the fact that the daily quota for independent mainland tourists visiting Taiwan was raised to 5,000 as of September 21 this year, independent travelers—who enjoy greater autonomy and do not need to join tours organized by mainland tour operators—are largely unaffected. The bureau will work through its offices in the mainland to actively attract more independent mainland tourists to Taiwan, aiming to create a more balanced and complementary market structure. If necessary, the Tourism Bureau will coordinate with key tourism industry associations in advance to adjust business models of businesses that serve group tourists from the mainland as a preemptive measure.