THE Philippines on Tuesday, Jan. 24, welcomed a planeload of Chinese travelers after China finally eases its restriction for outbound travel.
About 190 visitors from Xiamen arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 via Xiamen Airlines flight MF819.
With China contributing to over 1.7 million tourists prior to the pandemic, the arrival signaled renewed hope for the tourism industry’s speedy recovery.
“The arrival of Chinese tourists to the Philippines brings a very positive impact for the prospects of the Philippine tourism industry recognizing that China supplies the most number of people for outbound travel,” Tourism secretary Cristina Frasco said in a presser.
“We anticipate even more Chinese tourists to arrive which will greatly help us in our efforts to transform and to recover the tourism industry as our intention is not only to regain our pre-pandemic numbers but to exceed it knowing how the relationship between the Philippines and China will only further improve in the years to come with the stance of both our governments,” she added.
Frasco said Manila targets to further exceed the 2019 Chinese arrivals to the country as the government ushers in a new period for recovery where it recognizes the travel sector as pillar of economic growth.
Manila, she said, would continue to improve its key destinations popular to Chinese tourists, specifically Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, for his part, said the arrival reflects the importance Beijing places in improving relations with Manila, specifically on strengthening tourism cooperation.
China identified the Philippines as one of the 20 pilot areas for outbound tourism group tours, which also includes Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Argentina, Cuba and Fiji.
China was Manila’s second top source of foreign travelers in 2019 next to South Korea.
Based on the latest DOT data, the country now ranks 10th in terms of arrivals, with 6,673 visitors recorded as of Jan. 24. (PNA)/PN
