Dive into the Philippines’ underwater attractions
There is more to the Philippines than coconut tree-lined coastlines, fine-sand beaches, world-class resorts and myriad underwater attractions. Xu Lin reports.
The underwater world is dim at dawn. And, suddenly, a longtailed thresher shark swims by slowly. Chen Xue, 30, is excited to see that the large fish is only about 2 meters away.
This is the fourth time that Chen is in the Philippines for open-water diving.
Chen, her husband and two friends, were on Malapascua Island for a week during the recent Spring Festival break. It’s a popular destination with Chinese diving fans.
Speaking about the trip, Chen says: “The scenes were amazing. Diving is relaxation for the mind and body. The Philippines is a good place for diving thanks to its professional coaches, great views and affordability. Also, the islanders are very friendly.”
Chen, who is planning to take free-diving courses on Bohol Island in the summer, also says: “When you do open-water diving, you can take your time to enjoy the underwater scenery, but the bubbles from the equipment prevent the fish from coming too close to you.
“Also, free-diving is more flexible and is like communicating between one’s mind and body. You have to be out of the water by the time you ran out of breath.”
Chen also urges environmental awareness among tourists, adding that when she sees plastic bags and tin cans in the ocean she takes them out of the water and disposes of them responsibly.
Official data shows that in 2017, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines was about 969,000, an increase of about 43.4 percent over 2016, making China the second-largest source of tourists for the country.
The Philippines is now targeting 2 million Chinese tourists annually.
Jiang Ying, director of the online travel agency Ctrip’s tourism business in the Philippines, says: “Many Chinese are traveling to the Philippines for scuba and free diving and to get a diving certificate. The country is attracting more young independent travelers from China.
“Chinese tourists prefer to go out to sea and travel to different islands, and they like spas, seafood feasts and sunset sailing tours.”
According to Ctrip, Boracay is the most popular Philippines destination for Chinese customers — both group and independent travelers. Cebu, Bohol and Palawan islands are emerging destinations, with Ctrip bookings growing by over 60 percent a year.
Giving details about what the country has to offer, Tomasito G. Umali, the tourism attache of the Philippine Department of Tourism, Beijing, says: “There is more to the Philippines than just coconut tree-lined coastlines, fine-sand beaches, worldclass resorts, and myriad underwater attractions.
“We also have other tourism products that will interest Chinese travelers such as scuba diving, cruises, health and wellness products.”
Meanwhile, the office is striving to use digital communication, marketing research and work with the private sector to boost tourism.
As for transportation links, the tourism attache says there are 11 airlines connecting 17 Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu with popular Philippine destinations, through direct flights and charters.
He says that more air routes will be opened between China and emerging Philippine destinations within the next few years, so Chinese tourists can enjoy the distinctiveness of more than 7,000 tropical islands in the Philippines.
On March 25, Philippine Airlines will increase its flights between the two countries from the current 99 to 103 weekly. And it will launch more flights from Tianjin, Shenzhen and Nanning, including direct flights to Puerto Princesa in Palawan from Tianjin and Shenzhen.
On the visa front, the Philippine government is continuing with its visa-uponarrival policy for Chinese tour groups and its visa-free policy for Chinese nationals who hold valid visas to the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and the Schengen area.
Umali says, the government is working to enhance the travel experience for Chinese visitors by improving its infrastructure and training for its manpower.
For instance, training is being improved, particularly for licensed English-speaking tour guides who serve Chinese travelers. And major gateways into the country will now have signage and information material in Chinese.
Also, thousands of trained policemen are being put on duty in major tourist destinations to ensure the safety and security of tourists.
Duty Free Philippines is building more shops in tourist destinations.
In another major development, Umali says that the Philippines and China have agreed to promote two-way tourist traffic.
“Since the late Tang Dynasty (618-907), Filipino and Chinese merchants have been interacting through barter trade done on sampans,” Umali says. “And through the centuries, Chinese slowly integrated themselves into Philippine society and permanently settled on our islands.
“Some of these Chinese pioneers became rich and powerful through perseverance and hard work. And today, there are more than 1.5 million Chinese in the Philippines.”
Given this background, Umali says he expects more Chinese to visit the country to enjoy what it has to offer.
Many Chinese are traveling to the Philippines for scuba and free diving and to get a diving certificate.” Jiang Ying,