The province of Fujian could be the site of a pilot project allowing individual mainland tourists to visit Taiwan.

The doors for individual tourists could open as early as June, Fujian-based website taihainet.com said.

Preventing price wars among mainland travel agencies organizing trips to Taiwan is also on the agenda as cross-Straits tourism authorities meet Friday in Hong Kong.

Mainland tourists visiting Taiwan are now required to be in groups of at least five, including tour guides from the mainland and Taiwan.

Taiwan's tourism authorities said mainland travel groups are now focusing on "several special scenic spots, shops and restaurants". This will give mainland travelers a limited taste of Taiwan and create tourist crunches in those areas.

While allowing individual traveling will ease the crowding, the benefits brought by mainland tourists might spill over to other industries.

Taiwan tourism authorities said there are 2,710 homestays in Taiwan who could provide more than 100,000 rooms to individual tourists. Passenger service operators and taxi drivers are eagerly looking forward to solo mainland travelers.

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