The tourism industry in Guangdong province got a much-needed boost after the mainlanders are allowed to travel to Taiwan and the US, industry experts said.
\r\n\r\nFor many years, the provincial tourism industry ranked first in earning tourism revenue in the country. However, Jiangshu has taken over the leading position since 2006, Yang Rongsen, director of Guangdong tourism administration, said.
\r\n\r\nGuangdong held the number one position from 1978 to 2005. Its tourism revenue accounted for one-eighth of the nations total revenue during that period.
\r\n\r\nIn 2005, Guangdongs tourism income was 188.2 billion yuan (US$27.6 billion), while Jiangsus was only 2.7 billion yuan.
\r\n\r\nHowever, Jiangsus tourism revenue surpassed Guangdongs last year by almost 40 billion yuan.
\r\n\r\nIn Guangdong province, tourism revenue accounts for 80 percent of the total in the Pearl River Delta region.
\r\n\r\nOne of Guangdongs biggest travel agencies, GZLs revenue last year was 1.8 billion yuan, while its profit was only 10 million yuan.
\r\n\r\nJust when the tourism sector was worrying about the business, the decision to allow the mainlanders to visit Taiwan gave it a much-needed boost.
\r\n\r\nThe industry will flourish again since Taiwan package tour and America package tour have been opened to mainland residents, experts said.
\r\n\r\n\"The Taiwan package tour will bring more than 100 million yuan (US$14.7 million) revenue to Guangzhous tour services agencies each year, bringing a new opportunity to the provinces tourism industry,\" an expert surnamed Wang told China Daily.
\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, mainland visitors will help create NT$60 billion (US$2.2 billion) in tourism earnings for the islands travel industry, he said.
\r\n\r\nThe tourism authorities of Kaohsiung, the second largest city of Taiwan, sent a delegation to Guangzhou to promote the citys tourism resources earlier this month.
\r\n\r\nThe delegation said Kaohsiung, located in southwestern Taiwan, has abundant tourism resources and the travel cost, including transportation and hotel expenses, is much cheaper than Taipei.
\r\n\r\nMore frequent contact with Taiwan will bring more inbound tourists from the island, experts said.
\r\n\r\nSince the package tours to Taiwan and the USA are not only open to Guangdong residents, it will offer competition among different provinces , Wang said.
\r\n\r\n\"More promotions for Guangdongs tourism are needed,\" he said.
\r\n\r\nWang hopes the travel industry will be especially promoted at the fourth Guangdong International Tourism and Culture Festival to be held at the end of this year.
