The increase of Chinese tourists in Taiwan has helped to boost the income of Mandarin speaking tour guides around the island, and more and more people are showing interests to join this red hot industry.

Mainland Chinese tourists who visit Taiwan tend to buy things without hesitation, and this commission has become an additional income for tour guides.

Seeing the lucrative business opportunity, many have registered for the Mandarin tour guide license exam.

Just over the past two years, over 10,000 people have signed up for the exam.

The Taiwan Tour Guide Association estimates that currently over 10,000 people in Taiwan hold a tour guide license.

And tour guide salaries are indeed one of the main reasons so many people are registering for the license exam.

The Mandarin tour guide license exam contains content regarding tour guide practice and tourism resources.

However the Taiwan Tour Guide Association warns that a license doesn't automatically draw in profits.

In addition to a 3-month training period, work attitude and stamina are even more important.

The tourism industry has also commented that in the future, Mainland Chinese tourists will likely be allowed access to independent travel, making tour guide expertise more essential.

Also, besides a license, a prospective tour guide must have the right personality.

If they are unable to strike up a rapport with tourists or understand the southern and northern Chinese accents, they may have to face getting kicked off the bus by the tourists.

In fact, many tour guides have had the experience of being dismissed by tour groups.

That's why many propective tour guides will have to have adequate preparation and practice before they can expect to gain a living by becoming a tour guide.