A large promotional delegation comprising 300 members from Taiwan is to attend the "China International Travel Mart" (CITM) in Shanghai, which will open on November 20.

The delegation was in response to business opportunities arising from the opening of the direct cross-Strait transport links. This is the first large-scale Taiwanese delegation to attend the travel fair held on the Chinese mainland following the second meeting between Chen Yunlin, president of the Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF).

Chang Shuo-lao, chairman of the Taiwan Visitors Association (TVA), told reporters in an interview that due to incentives such as the upcoming regular direct cross-Strait charter flights, more terminals for direct flights, more approved mainland travel agencies operating Taiwan tours, and the ease of restrictions on the minimum number of tourists visiting Taiwan in a group, there has been a huge increase in the number of people who have signed up for the CITM in Shanghai. There will be a record high total of 311 delegates from 56 units, including 19 hotels and 12 travel agencies, attending.

According to a briefing on the event, the Taiwan pavilion in the Shanghai CITM will occupy 765 square meters and will display beautiful and abundant landscapes and scenic spots in Taiwan. TVA will hold a "Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Fair" in the pavilion, and invite 300 representatives from mainland travel agencies to attend.

The 'Cross-Strait Tourism Night', which is co-hosted by relevant parties across the Strait, will invite over 500 professionals from the tourism industry from both sides to engage in exchanges and promote friendships. The "Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Troupe" from Taiwan will give several fascinating aboriginal song and dance performances during the CITM.