The Taiwan media has reported that mainland tourists, if they are allowed to visit the island, will contribute 0.1 percent to Taiwan's annual economic growth.

 

It was estimated that mainland tourists would spend 16 billion New Taiwan Dollars a year if the island could attract 1,000 each day, with an average stay of seven to eight days, Taiwan's "Council for Economic Planning and Development of the Executive Yuan" was quoted as saying.

 

The council also said Taiwan needed more hotels and further regulation of its tourist market in preparing to open to mainland tourists.

 

Non-governmental tourism organizations of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan had started talks on the technical issues of opening Taiwan-bound routes for mainland residents, but no agreement has been reached.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2006)