Countryside LGUs advised to brace for Chinese influx

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial government is calling on local government units in the countryside to brace for the anticipated influx of Chinese tourists in the province.

Cebu Provincial vice governor Agnes Magpale said the entry of big Chinese groups traveling to Cebu is seen to continue for a longer period and countryside destinations are encouraged to get ready to accommodate even larger groups of Chinese tourists.

Magpale, who also sits as Provincial Tourism Commission chair, said that the province is anticipating more Chinese tourists especially with the expected opening of the Mactan International Airport Terminal 2 by middle of this year.

In fact, she said more airlines are already starting to open up more direct flights from Cebu to different destinations in China.

This early, big groups of tourists are already arriving from China to Cebu at least every week. Some are even transported through chartered flights, Magpale said.

Affordable accommodations are what Chinese travelers usually require in their destinations. Countryside destinations are called to improve a number of accommodation facilities to host bigger delegations.

Latest data released by the Department of Tourism (DOT-7) revealed that China overtook Japan in terms of arrivals, with 429,306 arrivals recorded in 2017.

Chinese posted the highest growth among the top 10 foreign markets of the region at 75 percent, from 244,925 arrivals in the previous year.

DOT-7 regional director Shalimar Tamano said the increase in Chinese arrivals marks a significant milestone as a result of the warming relations between the Philippines and China. (FREEMAN)