Newly appointed tourism undersecretary Gabriel La Viña was tapped to lead efforts to attract more Chinese visitors.
The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) is revving up its campaign to woo more tourists from China, which has emerged as the destination’s top market this year.
Newly appointed tourism undersecretary Gabriel La Viña was tapped to lead efforts to attract more Chinese visitors.
“With tourism, we can wipe out poverty in the next four to six years. That’s the reason why I am here. Even though I have asked for something else, something more quiet, far away from the media,” La Viña said.
Last year, 968,447 Chinese visited the Philippines, a 43.3% increase from the 675,663 arrivals in 2016.
In the first two months of this year, Chinese arrivals reached 429,306. DOT is targetting 1.5 million Chinese visitors for the full year.
“As for the main thrust to get more Chinese tourists, our priority will be accessibility. Starting this year, a total of 5,180 seats per month will be added, with special charter flights for the Chinese New Year celebration,” DOT-Shanghai tourism attaché Ireneo Reyes said earlier.
Last September, DOT inked an agreement with Chengdu-based charter operator Hanglv International Travel Group to boost airline seat capacity between mainland China and Manila.
Apart from additional flights, DOT is also expecting a growing number of Chinese cruise tourists as more Chinese cruise companies and charterers add the Philippines to their itineraries.