According to a spokesman for the Taiwan Strait Tourism Exchange Association, the number of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan in the first seven months of 2010 was 707,400, which is an increase of 109% year on year.

 

Shao Qiwei, the chairman of the tourism association, said that the average number of mainland tourists exceeded 100,000 per month. He also pointed out that the cross-strait communications have been enhanced and the number flights between the island and the Chinese mainland has been greatly increased since July 18, 2008, when the local government in Taiwan opened  tourism to mainland residents.

 

Shao stated that the total number of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan in 2010 is expected to grow to 1 million and it might even reach 1.2 million: if the current rate of growth is maintained.