Will a Flood of Chinese Tour Groups Soon Overwhelm This County? Shanghai Travel Agency Executive Praises It: 'All-Ages-Friendly' Itinerary Sparks High Inquiry Volume

On April 29, Shanghai announced the opening of group and individual travel for Shanghai residents to the Kinmen and Matsu regions. Subsequently, the Shanghai Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau released a list of 12 travel agencies authorized to organize trips to Kinmen and Matsu.

'Shanghai International Travel', ranked first on the list, has seen significant inquiries from Shanghai tourists, according to Deputy General Manager Xie Jianxiao. However, actual group departures are still pending, despite the fact that the agency has already finalized routes and pricing with operators in Kinmen and Matsu. The delay stems from ongoing coordination regarding the qualification certification of tour guides on both sides of the strait.

On April 29, the Shanghai Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau announced that Shanghai residents may now apply for group and individual travel to Kinmen and Matsu through travel agencies based in Shanghai or Fujian Province. Applicants must follow regulations and apply for travel endorsements at designated exit-entry administration offices in both regions.

Previously, only residents of Fujian Province were permitted to visit Kinmen and Matsu, under a policy launched in August 2024.

Following the April 29 announcement, the bureau also published the list of 12 Shanghai-based 'travel agencies authorized for Kinmen-Matsu tours'. Among them, Shanghai International Travel ranks first.

According to a report by China Review News Agency on August 25, Xie Jianxiao stated that Shanghai tourists have been waiting eagerly for group tours to Kinmen and Matsu to commence. The primary obstacle is not lack of tourist interest—many began inquiring immediately after the policy was announced—but rather the alignment of tour guide qualifications between the two sides.

Xie pointed out that cross-strait tourism is still recovering post-pandemic, and further communication and coordination are needed on guide certification and mutual recognition protocols.

Xie also highlighted Matsu during his remarks, noting that although it is less familiar to mainland tourists compared to Kinmen, it possesses abundant tourism resources worth exploring. Both group and independent travel offer considerable development potential, making it truly 'suitable for all ages'.

He added that the agency has already negotiated and confirmed tour routes and prices with local Matsu tourism operators. While everything is ready on their end, actual group tours cannot proceed until further procedural coordination is completed. 'Good things take time,' he said. 'We just need to wait a little longer.'