Chinese tourists due in Cebu next month

After the arrival of about 1,500 Chinese tourists to Cebu this month brought by a leisure company based in China, Department of Tourism and the Cebu province is expecting more influx of Chinese visitors this year.

Starting last January 26 and this coming February 3, Chinese tourists are flying in to Cebu to experience and visit some of the province’s popular tourism destinations and around 800 of which have already been to Badian Island in the South and in the neighboring province of Bohol.

These tourists were brought by a leisure company Dong Fang International Travel Services, Ltd based in Guangzhou, China in cooperation with its partner here in the country Dong Fang Leisure Philippines.

In a press conference during a banquet at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia expressed that,” this is very encouraging to note that amidst the gloomy news, here in Cebu we are still sending out positive message of hope. The influx of these tourists is an indication of how attractive Cebu continuous to be.”

The governor said that the relationship between provinces in China and Cebu is very essential at this point especially that China is a big potential market and that they are in a much better shape compared to other superpowers which are deep under recession.

“The Chinese will have more spending power and they will always come to a place were they have stronger ties. The relationship of Cebu and China in trading can be traced back thousand of years ago. If we just tap even 10 percent of the Chinese market, that will be very big for Cebu,” she said.

The governor also shared that recently, Cebu has been offered a sisterhood with the Guangzhou province in China and with this, she is scheduled to fly out to China around March this year to sign a memorandum of understanding with its Deputy Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, DOT undersecretary Phineas Alburo said that the growth of Chinese tourists in Cebu has been continuous and in fact it has grown 73 percent from last 2007’s 8, 803 arrivals to 15, 303 direct arrivals last 2008 based on the disembarkation card of the Bureau of Immigration.

Alburo said that other than the leisure market, they are now looking at tapping the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibits (MICE) market of China, which is very huge considering the many industrial companies based there.

The influx of this big group of Chinese tourist is a first in Cebu but Dong Fang Philippines assured of its sustainability as they outlaid plans of doing the tours on a monthly interval.

Senior vice president for administration, marketing and operations of Dong Fang Leisure Philippines Corp. Alan L. Dino said that they are looking at bringing in to Cebu around 5, 000 to 10, 000 Chinese tourists this year in different groups.

He said that they have initiated this endeavour along with their partner in China to boost the tourism and economic ties between China and the Philippines specifically the province Cebu which has several things to offer the Chinese market.

Dino said though that after the tour which happened to take place on the celebration of the Chinese New Year which is a peak season of Cebu’s hospitality industry, they have noted a shortfall of room accommodations.

“Cebu still lack rooms and some facilities such as buses. These certainly have to be improved but as a destination, Cebu is already a perfect place with its natural beauty and pristine beaches,” said Dino.

He said that the Chinese tourists are composed of businessmen, government officials, government employees, office workers, retired citizens and families with kids.