Taipei  - Taiwan's visitor figures rose 11.65 per cent in the first 10 months this year, boosted by the influx of Chinese tourists, the Tourism Bureau said Monday.

Between January and October, Taiwan received 3.5 million visitors, the Tourism Bureau said in its monthly bulletin.

Of these, 1.8 million visitors - or nearly two-thirds of the total - were tourists, up 27.69 per cent year-on-year.

The rest were business visitors, foreign workers or students.

Nearly one out of every four visitors was a Chinese mainlander, a sign of improved cross-strait ties since President Ma Ying-jeou took office on May 20, 2008.

Taiwan, after being split from China for six decades, opened its door to Chinese tour groups on July 4, 2008.

The number of Chinese tourists is expected to continue to soar if Taipei eases restrictions on Chinese tourists, improves tourists facilities and lowers package tour prices. (dpa)