Taiwan's travel industry pushed back sharply after authorities said travellers to the mainland would be required to register in advance or face fines.

As the dispute widened, the tourism administration revised its account of who would be covered and how the rule would work. A mainland affairs official said the question was one to be settled between the agency and the industry.

The points at issue

Operators question the scope of the obligation and where responsibility falls, arguing it is unclear whether an agency selling a group package must also answer for whether each individual traveller has registered.

They also note the absence of an effective means of enforcing registration now that independent travel has grown. It has not been settled at what point, or by what means, travellers booking their own flights and lodging would be checked.

Rising traffic

Some academics argue that with the number of Taiwanese visiting the mainland sharply higher, restrictions bring little practical benefit, and that leaving matters to the market while concentrating on safety information would be more realistic.

Authorities counter that a minimum picture of who is travelling is needed for personal safety and for contact in an emergency. The two positions serve different aims, so the question is less which is right than where they can be reconciled.

Officials said detailed implementation standards would be reorganised and announced. No start date has been set.