MANILA, Philippines - Hong Kong-based travel operators have signified keen interest to bring in more tourists into the Philippines in the coming months, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said.
He said interest from Hong Kong tourists has gradually been growing since the lifting of the black travel alert in April this year.
“In Hong Kong, the good news is we were extremely elated. The response was tremendous. The entire community was all very happy. It was the biggest attendance that we have ever had for a business meeting on tourism. We have over 300 Hong Kong travel trade representatives,” he said.
The tourism chief said this signals the start of good ties between the two government after a long standing rift over the hostage killing of Hong Kong nationals in Manila some four years ago.
It would be noted that in July 2013, China rose to third place, overtaking Japan, by contributing 246,967 visitors or 8.82 percent share of the total foreign tourists arrival.
During this period, the Chinese market also recorded the strongest growth among the top markets at 48.58 percent.
In January-February 2014 period, China and Hong Kong, meanwhile, remained at the top 10 tourist source markets with 11.2 percent and 2.39 percent share of the total, respectively.
The DOT is also conducting other tourism missions/ roadshows in other markets to meet the 5.3 million to 5.5 million foreign tourists arrival target for 2014.
Aside from Hong Kong, DOT also sent a mission to Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo to boost tourism promotions efforts.
By the third quarter, the DOT has scheduled a tourism mission to Korea.
Jimenez said they would also be sending a tourism mission to North America and Canada.