The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said that it welcomes tourists not only from China, but from all countries.
“President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) repeatedly stated during the presidential campaign that the number of Chinese tourists will not decrease [once the DPP is in power], and that we should attract visitors from more countries,” DPP spokesperson Ruan Jhao-syong (阮昭雄) said. “This is the correct objective.”
Ruan made the remarks in response to media queries on comments made by Chang Ching-sen (張景森), the policy director of Tsai’s office.
At a meeting with tour operators on Wednesday to discuss the alleged decline in the number of Chinese tourists in recent months, Chang said that the DPP welcomes Chinese tourists and the party would seek to relax laws to “liberate the tourism industry” when Tsai is sworn into office on May 20.
Some tour operators have complained that the number of Chinese tourists decreased ahead of and after the presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 16, while others said the decrease has been minimal.
Ruan said that the DPP think tank regularly meets with tour operators, as well as academics in the field, to hear their opinions.
As for policies to “liberate the tourism industry,” Ruan said the think tank is currently working on policy proposals, which are to be implemented after Tsai is sworn in.
The DPP government would seek to attract more visitors from Japan, Southeast Asia and India, Ruan said, adding that the DPP would also seek to improve the quality of Chinese tour groups and encourage more free and independent travelers from China.
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