Chinese mainland tourists may be allowed to visit Taiwan starting in July. The new move has been warmly welcomed across the straits.

The Taiwan tourism industry is also gearing up for the anticipated upswing in business. Tourism regulators there called on local travel agencies to enhance their services to attract more visitors from the mainland.

CRI Reporter Chen Xi has the details.

Just 160 kilometers off the coast of China's Fujian Province, Taiwan is laying out the red carpet for tourists from the mainland.
Local tourism insiders say that the influx of mainland tourists will create momentum for Taiwan's economy. Over 3,000 tourists are expected to arrive every day, bringing in over 16 billion yuan, or 2 billion US dollars, for the tourism industry.

Faced with the potential for massive profits, Zhang Xuelao, a local tourism organizer, says an emphasis should be placed on quality.

"What we are most concerned with is how can we offer a superb quality of service to the large number of tourists from the mainland, and we should try to persuade them that a trip to Taiwan is worthwhile."

Zhang Xuelao also calls for Taiwan tourism watchdog to further regulate a sound arrangement of pricing and accommodation standards in this process.

In an effort to ensure a secure and convenient tour in Taiwan, local travel authorities have issued a series of rules for regular inspections of hotels, restaurants, shops and sightseeing tour buses on the island.

The contribution is seen favorably across the industry. You Guoqian is an entrepreneur in Taiwan's tourism industry.

"The cross-Straits tourism is endowed with a strong feeling among the Chinese compatriots. Taiwan must take care of it and offer friendly, graceful and considerate services. Only in this way can we win the hearts of the people on the mainland."

Tour operators in Taiwan have contributed a lot to improving attractions, such as instructions at tourist sites and restaurant menus written in simplified Chinese.

As for scenic sites, Sun-Moon Lake and Mount Ali are expected to be mainland tourists' top choices. They are also expected to visit the Palace Museum and Taipei 101, Taiwan's tallest building.

Chen Xi, CRI News