Taiwan is expected to open its doors to individual mainland Chinese tourists by July, Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liu Te-shun said June 1.
“Representatives from the two sides are close to finalizing all pertinent measures,” Liu said at a joint news conference with the Tourism Bureau and the National Immigration Agency in Taipei City.
“In the initial stage, the program will be applicable only to residents of Beijing and Shanghai, with Xiamen likely to follow,” bureau officials said. “The daily maximum for solo mainland Chinese visitors will be 500.”
NIA Deputy Director-General Ho Jung-chun said applicants must be at least 20 years old, with proof of income, and can be accompanied by spouses, parents or dependents. “Students aged 18 or above will also be able to apply,” he added.
According to Ho, mainland Chinese who wish to travel in Taiwan on their own must provide itineraries and emergency contact information for relatives in mainland China, along with travel insurance with coverage of NT$2 million (US$69,718).
They can apply for stays of up to 15 days and those who overstay will be banned from entering Taiwan for three years, Ho added.
Tourism Bureau Deputy Director-General David Hsieh said since Taiwan opened to mainland Chinese tourist groups in July 2008, more than 3.3 million visitors have arrived, creating NT$195.8 billion in tourism dollars.
“Independent mainland Chinese tourists are expected to generate business worth between NT$9 billion and NT$15 billion annually,” Hsieh added.
