MANILA, Philippines – Chinese newspaper Guangzhou Information Times and the Guangzhou International Tourism Fair (GITF) recently honored the Philippines with a "most popular destination†award in separate ceremonies held in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong in southern China.
Guangzhou Information Times vice president Li Xinzhang presented the “Most Popular Destination in Asia†award to Philippine Tourism undersecretary Daniel G. Corpuz and Consul General Raly L. Tejada in a ceremony held at the Nahu Travel Display Center.
The Philippines likewise received a “Most Popular Destination Award†from the GITF. The country was the lone recipient from Southeast Asia. It was joined by Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Chicago (United States), Korea, Seychelles, Mauritius, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Macau, and Italy.
The GITF is organized by the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration through the Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality in cooperation with Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd.
The annual tourism fair is one of the most important international travel fairs in the Asia-Pacific Region for its influence in the tourism industry and related industries.
A total of 59,861 visas were issued to Southern Chinese visitors to the Philippines in 2012, according to the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou.
The Philippine consulate registered a 6.45 percent increase in visa issuance for January 2013 over the same period last year.
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