Chinese investors eye Palawan for resort projects

MANILA, Philippines -  Chinese investors have expressed interest in putting up resort developments in Palawan, an official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

Tourism Assistant Secretary for Office of Public Affairs, Communications and Special Projects and spokesperson Frederick Alegre told The STAr the department is currently in talks with Chinese investors.

“Most of them are really plans for resorts, tourism facilities. The talks are ongoing,”Alegre said.

While Alegre did not disclose the identity of these investors, he cited San Vicente in Palawan as a particular area of interest among Chinese investors.

In addition, Alegre said some investors have also expressed interest in investing in the country’s islands. “We haven’t formalized anything with any group yet, but there’s always an inquiry about islands,” Alegre said.

Apart from Palawan, Chinese investors are also eyeing some areas in Luzon, as well as in Visayas, particularly in Dumaguete.

Moreover, while no formal agreements have been mapped out yet with potential Chinese investors, Alegre expressed optimism for the tourism sector receiving its fair share of investments.

“As you know, the other Cabinet secretaries have been meeting with their counterparts in China. We’re also confident that both in tourism and investments, infrastructure, they will also be very active,” Alegre said.

Furthermore, Alegre said the recent approval of the visa upon arrival (VUA)policy for Chinese nationals may boost the interest of Chinese investors.

“This might hasten it, now that there’s visa upon arrival,”Alegre said.

The Department of Justice earlier issued a circular granting VUA option for Chinese nationals in a bid to attract more Chinese tourists and investors into the country.

Last year a total of 675,663 Chinese tourists visited the Philippines, 37.65 percent higher than the 454,962 Chinese visitors a year ago.

This year, the tourism department is expecting Chinese tourist arrivals to hit the one million mark.