Legislators visit Taiwan's tourism association in Beijing

Taiwanese legislators on Friday visited the Beijing office of the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association, promising support for the office's efforts in China to develop interest in traveling to Taiwan.

Accompanied by Tourism Bureau Director-General Janice Lai, who is also chairwoman of the association, several members of the Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee made a tour of the office's 24-hour service center before being briefed on the office's operations.

Ruling Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Chen Ken-te suggested that to attract more Chinese tourists to Taiwan, the Tourism Bureau should more appropriately allocate its resources and establish offices in not only Beijing but the eastern, southern and central parts of China, and also chart a comprehensive development plan.

KMT Legislator Chu Fong-chi noted the trip was aimed at allowing the legislators to gain an understanding of the Beijing office's operations.

Although the office has been only open for a month, Chu said, it has achieved its potential on a limited budget by boosting Taiwan's profile as a tourist destination for Chinese travelers.

But Chu also felt the Tourism Bureau should consider shifting more resources to China. She said that some of the Tourism Bureau's 11 overseas offices are located in areas with small populations but manned with large staffs.

In contrast, given China's large land area and its big population, the manpower in the Beijing office is obviously insufficient, Chu said, and she suggested that the Tourism Bureau expand its staff at the office.

Meanwhile, Lai said the tourism association is considering setting up another branch office in Shanghai.

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