Chinese tourists top visitor arrivals Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines (Xinhua) - Chinese tourists topped foreign tourist arrivals in the first two months of the year in Boracay, one of the most popular beach attractions in the Philippines, the provincial government of Aklan said today.

Aklan jetty port administrator Niven Maquirang said Chinese tourists who visited the beaches here in January and February reached 52,740, followed by South Koreans at 40,511, and visitors from China's Taiwan at 6,387.

"Many of the Chinese tourists visit Boracay during the Chinese New Year. The Chinese now consider this resort island as one of their destinations for the new year celebration," said Maquirang.

The provincial government expects more Chinese tourists to visit this resort-island in the coming months.

For this month alone, Maquirang said two cruise ships ferrying Chinese tourists are expected to dock here.

Last year, the provincial government of Aklan said 1.36 million domestic and foreign tourists visited Boracay. The Chinese and South Koreans led foreign tourists vacationing in this island.