TOURISM Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo on Wednesday welcomed the announcement of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Zhao Jianhua who said he expects one- million tourists from China to visit the Philippines this year.
Teo said Zhao’s forecast is consistent with this year’s goals set by the DoT and its attached agencies of attracting at least seven million international visitors.
“We are emboldened to shoot for the stars by the Chinese New Year forecast, coming from such a distinguished personality in Ambassador Zhao,” Teo said at the sidelines of the Miss Universe National Gift Auction on Monday night at the Conrad Hotel Manila in Pasay City.
During Chinese New Year, which falls this year on Jan. 28, some six- million Chinese travel for leisure to various destinations within the mainland and abroad.
Teo noted the improved diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China since President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to Beijing last October, leading to the lifting of the Chinese restriction on travels to the Philippines.
“Following the lifting of Beijing’s advisory against travel to the Philippines, Chinese tourists came in droves by air and by cruise ships,” said Teo.
According to the latest available data, China is the third largest contributor of foreign visitors to the country totalling 630,327 in November, trailing behind Korea’s 1,331,701 and USA’s 771,849.
Teo said there is a great diversity of attractions available to the Chinese market, including the sun and beach resorts, tropical nature and adventure destinations.
She said the DoT’s attached agency, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, will continue its convergence program with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation to improve accessibility to tourist destinations nationwide.
