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Updated Monday, September 6, 2010 11:37 am TWN, CNA Agencies dedicated to Taiwan tours sprouting up in ChinaThese units are being seen not only in China's coastal areas, but also in its hinterlands, which only recently obtained approval by Chinese authorities for residents to visit Taiwan. Clients at these units can buy tours to Taiwan, as well as souvenirs and specialities from Taiwan. One tour agency in the inland province of Gangsu is planning to set up four units dedicated to Taiwan tours and will offer items such as special photo album for Taiwan trips. The units of the China Comfort Travel agency will be located along the main streets of Gangsu's capital Lanzhou, the company's General Manager Gung Yufei said. Gung said that many people in the western China province are eager to visit Taiwan, especially now that the province has obtained permission for such trips. Some 200 residents of the province competed for a chance to be in the first tour group to Taiwan, although the tour was open to only 67 people and cost 8,800 yuan, which is quite a fortune in China, she said. Her comments were borne out by Yang Jui-tsung, chief of the Beijing Office of Taipei's Taiwan Strait Tourism Association, who said that many Chinese travel agencies have suggested that he visit China's hinterlands more frequently to see how enthusiastic the people are to visit Taiwan. With travel becoming popular among Chinese citizens, many countries are vying for a share of the tourism market. Whether or not Taiwan can hold its own against these competitors depends largely on the quality of tours it can provide, industry stakeholders have suggested. Gung said the Taiwan tours should be expanded to cater to older visitors. |
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