Locals and tourists at Ximending street market in Taipei, Taiwan
THIRTEEN travel industry unions in Taiwan joined hands to stage a demonstration yesterday to air their grievance over dwindling Chinese visitation since the Democratic Progressive Party took office in May.
Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s statistics showed Chinese traffic enjoyed 30 per cent growth in March but abruptly fell by 12.2 per cent in May, followed by a 12 per cent and 15 per cent decline in June and July, respectively.
From August 1-23, Chinese groups further dropped 55.3 per cent while FITs decreased by 13.9 per cent.
Golden Foundation Services Group president Jean Chang pointed out that protesters have come from all sectors, including agencies, hotels, bus companies and tour guides.
She said: “They hope the government will help them find a way to make a living as Chinese visitors are not coming.
“This happened after the new president took over and has been a problem ever since. Business from mainland China dropped by more than 50 per cent at least.”
Taiwan Visitors Association secretary general Wu Chao Yen believes the worsening political relationship with China is to blame, adding that it is rare for the travel trade to take to the streets.
Preliminary sources estimate 20,000 people representing over 200 companies to have participated in the demonstration.
