两岸观察丨台湾旅游业者“熬冬盼春”

Group 1 - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the resumption of travel for Shanghai residents to Kinmen and Matsu, which has been welcomed by the local tourism industry in Taiwan [1] - The local tourism sector in Kinmen expressed optimism, with industry representatives stating they are ready to collaborate with mainland travel agencies to create tour packages [1] - There is a strong public sentiment in Taiwan calling for the urgent need for bilateral exchanges and openness between the two sides [1] Group 2 - The number of tourists visiting Taiwan saw a significant increase after the introduction of individual travel for mainland residents in 2011, peaking at over 8 million in 2019, with mainland tourists making up the largest share [3] - Following the suspension of individual and group travel for mainland residents in August 2019, the number of tourists sharply declined, severely impacting Taiwan's tourism industry [3][5] - In Hualien, many shops in popular tourist areas are temporarily closed, and those that remain open report a lack of customers, forcing some owners to take additional jobs to support their families [5] Group 3 - The tourism industry in Taiwan is facing significant challenges due to the lack of mainland tourists, with many tour buses idle and hotels experiencing high vacancy rates [7][9] - The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been criticized for ignoring public sentiment and obstructing cross-strait exchanges, which has led to increased tensions and economic difficulties for the tourism sector [7][11] - Industry leaders emphasize the importance of restoring normal interactions between the two sides to revitalize Taiwan's tourism industry and improve mutual understanding [9][11]