Only a small number of Shanghai residents have applied to visit Taiwan's outlying islands since China reopened the route, a weak start for local tourism operators hoping for a rebound.

• Since applications opened at the end of April, just over 7,000 Shanghai residents have applied to travel to Kinmen and Matsu — almost all of them for Kinmen.
• Travellers from nearby Fujian province dwarf that figure, with more than 70,000 applications over the same stretch.
• Chinese media blamed the slow start on Taiwan needing to certify Chinese tour leaders; Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council says that is simply not true.
• Taipei's rules only require copies of a tour leader's licence and employment papers to get an entry permit — no approval of Chinese credentials is involved.
• The real reason is distance: Shanghai is far from the islands, and the trip holds little appeal compared with what Fujian residents can reach easily.

Outlook: Group tours from Shanghai to Matsu are still being worked out between operators, but the numbers are unlikely to climb much while the journey stays long and the draw stays weak.