Taipei, Dec. 3, 2008 (CENS)--Taiwan`s tourism industry scores another major breakthrough in soliciting Chinese tourists to visit the island, as Amway China, a direct-sale operator, has decided to sponsor a massive incentive tour to Taiwan for 13,000 persons.

The visitors will take passenger liners, departing from Shanghai and arriving in Keelung or Taichung Harbors, in batches starting from next March.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) will discuss with the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) to give the case a special treatment, excluding it from the daily limit of 3,000 Chinese tourists.

Mao Chi-kuo, MOTC minister, also revealed that the ministry is in talk with China`s counterpart for lifting the restriction on Taiwan tour to residents of 13 designated provinces so that Amway members from other provinces can also join the tour. Initial response has been good, according to Mao. With 6,000 employees, Amway China boasted 13.8 billion yuan of revenue in 2007.

The MOTC opened up passenger-line trip for Chinese tourists to Taiwan in February this year, on a trial basis, with very good result. Passenger-liner trip can give a strong boost to the local tourism business, since each passenger liner is capable of bringing 1,000 passengers.

Industry insiders reported that many Taiwanese-invested enterprises in China are also planning incentive tours to Taiwan for their Chinese employees. The trend will step up further, should cross-Taiwan Strait charter flight become scheduled flights and plane-ticket fares drop.

Mao Chi-kuo pointed out that with countries worldwide suffering decline in the number of tourists amid the global economic downturn, Taiwan will manage to score 7% in foreign tourists this year.

(by Philip Liu)