A delegation of Taiwan ethnic minorities, and tribal groups will pay an eight-day visit to the mainland from Aug. 19, the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee announced Friday.

The 14-strong delegation, invited by the office, would exchange ideas with the mainland's "relevant departments" on tourism and specialty product purchases in Taiwan's ethnic minorities areas, said an office spokesman.

Headed by aboriginal politician May Chin, the delegation would also visit the southwestern Yunnan Province, home to more than 20 ethnic minorities, the spokesman said.

Ethnic minorities were "an important force" in promoting "peaceful development" of the mainland-Taiwan relations, the spokesman said.

Direct air and shipping services across the Taiwan Straits and loosened restrictions on mainland visitors to the island have boosted tourism in Taiwan. The cultures of Taiwan's ethnic minorities and tribes are a major selling point.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2009)