SHENZHEN travel agencies are expecting Taiwan to be a new destination for the city's residents, after Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan's "president-elect," pledged to open the island to mainland visitors.

"As far as we know, a large number of Shenzhen residents have longed to go sightseeing in Taiwan," Zeng Yan, a manager with Shenzhen Port China Travel Service, told the Daily Sunshine on Monday. "Some have called to book seats in group tours as soon as a Taiwan tour opens."

Wu Bin, general manager of Shenzhen Eachtravel, said the agency was in talks with Taiwan travel agencies about itinerary design so as to be well prepared if Taiwan opens to mainland visitors.

"We are following the latest developments of Taiwan tourism policy change," he said. "We hope for an early implementation of Ma's promise."

Taiwan is a must-see destination for tourists, with fascinating culture, breathtaking scenery such as Mount Ali and Sunmoonlake, and delicious cuisine, according to Wu.

Although the Central Government expressed the hope that mainland residents could visit Taiwan as early as in January 1979, Taiwan has imposed strict rules restricting mainland tourists.

Taiwan allows only mainlanders living, studying, working or traveling overseas to visit the island in tour groups. Mainland residents living and working on the mainland are still excluded.

The mainland was opened to Taiwanese tourists as early as in 1987.Taiwanese made 3.7 million trips to the mainland last year but only 145,000 mainlanders went to Taiwan.

Even mainland tourists who are allowed into Taiwan suffer unfair treatment and their movements are restricted. They can separate from their tour groups only after reporting to the police. (Li Jing)