In a bid to boost tourism growth, the Philippines and China are interested in mounting more flights between two countries and cooperating on tourism infrastructure development.
Enhancing tourism cooperation was among the issues discussed by President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Malacañang last week.
“Both sides recognize that the growing Chinese tourist arrivals in the Philippines over the past years have contributed to the economic growth of the Philippines,” a joint statement said.
“Both sides will encourage their citizens to travel to each other’s country, strengthen cooperation in tourism infrastructure development, and encourage airlines to open more direct flights between cities of the two countries, in order to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges,” it added.
At present, China is the second biggest source of international tourists in the Philippines. More than 700,000 Chinese tourists reportedly visited the country in the first seven months of the year. The Chinese travelers’ reported preferred destinations are Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, and Palawan.
South Koreans remained the top market of foreign tourists in the country. Other sources of international tourists are the United States, Japan, and Australia.
The Department of Tourism aims 7.4 million tourist arrivals this year from 6.6 million last year. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)