Taiwan allows pre-June travel groups to China despite ban

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a significant move, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) announced on Thursday (May 30) that travel groups planned before June 1 can proceed as scheduled, despite the impending ban on group tours to China. This decision comes as a response to concerns that numerous travel groups had not managed to depart before May, aiming to protect the interests of both travelers and travel agencies.

Policy Adjustment Amid Ban

The adjustment is a direct response to the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部觀光署) announcing earlier this year a halt on organizing group tours to China starting June. This was part of broader travel restrictions aimed at curbing travel between Taiwan and China. However, following a meeting between Travel Agent Association (TAA) chairman Hsiao Po-jen (蕭博仁) and MOTC Li Meng-yen (李孟諺), it was clarified that while the ban on tours to China will remain, about 1,000 travel groups involving approximately 20,000 people will be allowed to proceed as planned in June.

A Step Towards Cross-Strait Relations

Executive Yuan spokesperson Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) relayed Premier Cho's remarks from a cabinet meeting, highlighting the government's unchanged policy of welcoming tourists from China. Cho emphasized the importance of restarting reciprocal tourism activities as a step towards improving cross-strait relations, expressing hope for China to show goodwill and effort in contributing to peace and exchanges between the two sides. Furthermore, Cho mentioned that the government would continuously review the execution of this policy to ensure it aligns with the best interests of the public and the tourism industry.