Hebei tourists flock to Taiwan, airlines cope

Shijiangzhuang (CNS) -- Taiwan tourism saw explosive growth in visitors from Hebei Province at the beginning of this year. Travel agencies have sold out group travel packages for Taiwan destinations, and airlines have increased direct flights to satisfy the high demand.

To date, a total of 22,722 Hebei tourists have toured Taiwan since January 1, an increase of 104.6 percent over the same period last year, according to statistics from the provincial public security bureau.

And in 2011, 23,710 Hebei tourists chose Taiwan. The number of tourists seen in the four months since this year started is almost the total amount for 2011.

A source from the Hebei Branch of China Eastern Airlines said for the high season the company will schedule one extra direct flight per week between April 3 and May 29.

The Taiwanese airline Far Eastern Air Transport opened a direct route between Shijiazhuang and Taipei last October 31, and flights now leave six times per week. The flights are more than 95 percent full.