TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Chairman of the Travel Agents Association (TAAT), Hsiao Po-jen, made a public announcement on Friday (Nov. 3) regarding the potential lifting of travel group bans to China before the Chinese New Year in 2024.
Hsiao said that many industry experts believe the travel restrictions will not be lifted before the presidential election.
However, Minister Wang Kwo-tsai of the Transportation and Communications (MOTC) took a different stance, saying that the government may raise the travel ban earlier than expected if China expresses goodwill to welcome tourists from across the Strait.
Minister Wang and the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) also told the Central News Agency (CNA) that the MOTC Tourist Administration Director General, Chou Yung-Hui, affirmed plans to lift restrictions placed on travel groups before the holiday next year.
The government has banned private group tours to China since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to loosen the restrictions is a critical move toward enhancing diplomatic relations between the opposing states.
As early as August this year, the MAC announced plans to restore cross-strait group tours, allowing travel groups from China. Initially, the limit was set for 2,000 visitors per day.
The actual implementation date will depend on the response from the other side, with a one-month preparation period to commence.