Philippines welcomes Chinese guests
Promotional campaigns, new air routes are granting access to more travelers
play traditional musical instruments at an exhibition in China to promote tourism.
A number of newly opened destinations were introduced to the Chinese market, such as Laoag, Bana Wei and Northern Mindanao.
The 2017 Miss Universe contest in January and the launch of the ChinaASEAN Year of Tourism in March are expected to make the country an even more popular tourist destination.
Direct flights between China and the Philippines keep increasing to deliver more tourists, including those opened by Philippine Airlines recently linking Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan, and Cebu and Kalibo, a major hub for the popular destination, Boracay Island.
According to Philippine newspaper Business Mirror, in the first two months of this year, tourists from China grew by 25.4 percent yearon-year, second only to India. The Philippine government recorded an increase in Chinese visa applications of more than 250 percent in that period.
The Philippine government currently allows Chinese tourists to obtain a visa on arrival, and is planning to start the visa-free policy within the year.