Cebu to draw in more tourists through “Meet China” program

CEBU, Philippines – The “Meet China” program of the Philippine Embassy in China and the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) will highlight Cebu as the gateway to Southern Philippines.

"We want to bring in more Chinese to visit to Cebu and Mindanao, without having to pass through Manila," said Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Rowena Montecillo.

Montecillo said tourism stakeholders in Visayas and Mindanao will hold a series of studies and awareness to know more about the traveling Chinese — their interests, likes and travel dynamics.

What is known to the stakeholders is that aside from their love for the beach, Chinese tourists usually travel with families, Montecillo said.

"Children are very important for the Chinese. This is also something that we want the tourism stakeholders to know, so that they can provide family-friendly, or child-friendly facilities," said Montecillo.

This intensive promotion to attract the Chinese market, through the "Meet China" program is also the starting point for Cebu to position its ESL (English as Second Language) offer to the Chinese.

The DOT through its Attache Office in Beijing, China, together with the Philippine Embassy in China and ACC conducted the workshop last December 11.

The workshop was aimed at educating the Philippine Tourism Stakeholders and Travel Trade Sector on the latest updates and developments of the Chinese Market in response to the rapid expansion and growth of China's outbound tourism.

Speakers from China's Guilin Tourism University and the ASEAN-China Centre discussed the new trends and changes in China's outbound tourism, market demands and future developments.

From January to September of this year, China logged the highest arrival growth record, with 51 percent improvement compared to the same period of last year. (FREEMAN)