Chinese tourists seen to boost Phl tourism

CEBU, Philippines — Tourism stakeholders, particularly the hotel sector are urged to tap more Chinese travelers, as this particular market is seen to turn around the country’s hotel occupancy rate and tourism receipts.

Based on Colliers International Philippines survey, the Philippines has yet to maximize the potential of Chinese tourists.

Chinese tourist in the Philippines spent an average of US$233 (P11,900), only quarter of an average Chinese tourist’s spending elsewhere.

According to China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), China’s outbound tourists totaled 149 million in2018.

Outbound tourists in China spent a total of US$120 billion (P6.1 trillion), an average of US$859 (P43,800) per person.

In contrast, the Philippines only attracted 1.2 Chinese tourists in 2018. While this is higher than the 970,000 Chinese visited the Philippines in 2017, and the less than half a million recorded in 2015 (prior to President Duterte’s assumption of office), the 2018 arrivals represented a mere 0.8 percent of total outbound Chinese tourists.

While Chinese visitors have been driving hotel occupancy and tourist spending across the country, stakeholders are urged to maximize its potential with more aggressive promotional campaigns to Chinese, and other initiative.

Colliers also encouraged developers and operators to build more three-star and four-star hotels.

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Shalimar Tamano said Cebu tourism players have been investing in marketing Cebu to the Chinese market.

According to Tamano, there is a need for Cebu to mount a massive promotional campaign to China,

China emerged as the fastest growing tourism market for the region. Chinese travelers are now the second largest foreign tourists market for Cebu, overtaking Japan. (FREEMAN)