Following the example of the UK and Ireland, European Union may very likely offer Taiwanse tourists visa-free privileges before Christmas this year.

According to EU officials in Taiwan, the Visa-waiver program process is "going smoothly" and is expected to be approved in late October by the Council of European Commission and the European Parliament.

After the new measure takes effect, Taiwanese visitors will no longer require a visa when travelling to the 28 EU Member States for a maximum of 90 days. And travel agencies believe this can boost the number of visitors to Europe by at leats 10 to 30%.

Although the EU hasn't finalized the timetable for its implementation, Fiji islands has already joined the list of 33 countries giving Taiwan visa-exemption privileges starting today.