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Society

Taiwan a popular destination to elderly mainland tourists

By Hou Lei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-01-22 17:22

Taiwan has become a popular tourist destination for the elderly from the Chinese mainland, as statistics show over 30 percent?of mainland tourists are more than 60 years old, Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.

Taiwan tourism authorities say more than 600,000 mainland tourists visited the island in 2009. An earlier China Daily report said each mainland tourist spent nearly $1,800 on the island.

Groups made solely of senior tourists from the mainland's Shenzhen City and Shandong Province also visited Taiwan in January. Analysts from Taiwan believe the island has a unique attraction for elderly people from the mainland due to historical reasons.

A staff member from Beijing China International Travel Service said they will not arrange a demanding schedule for tour groups visiting Taiwan because elderly tourists account for a large proportion. Some tour groups even have a doctor with them.

Taiwan tourist authorities want the industry to develop special travel plans for elderly mainland tourists, and add the former residences of Chang Hsueh-liang and Lin Yutang, since they may be favored by elderly mainland travelers.

Taiwan is open to mainland residents from 25 provinces, up from the initial 13 provinces in July 2008.