Philippines wins 'best tropical island' in China tilt

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines was dubbed the "Best Tropical Island Destination" by Chinese daily Shanghai Morning Post, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced late Monday.

Winners in various categories are based on a consumer survey done by the newspaper and partner Shanghai QQ.com, a giant social media platform in China.

Other winning international destinations with individual citation included Switzerland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Canada, France, United Kingdom and South Korea, which emerged as the most popular destination for the Chinese.

The award, given January 7 at the JingAn Shangri-la Hotel in Shanghai, was received by Tourism Attaché Gerry Panga and Consul General Charles Jose among others.

Related story: Not a 'sympathy vote': UK paper names Philippines top destination

DFA said the award can be attributed to the "strong market performance" and "brand recognition" for the Philippines.

The country, the agency said, is  seen as an "exciting and fun destination" for Chinese travelers.

Last year, the Post named the Philippines "Most Romantic Destination."

Chinese arrivals in the Philippines reached 365,905 with year-to-date growth rate of 70 percent compared to same-period figures of 2012.

The number of Chinese tourists in the Philippines  has been increasing despite the two country's territorial dispute over potentially oil-rich islands in the West Philippine Sea and last year's devastating weather disturbances most notably the deadly Supertyphoon Yolanda that killed over 6,000 in the Visayas.

"Apart from the aggressive promotion of the 'It’s More Fun in the Philippines' campaign and the market’s growing preference for the Philippines for both business and leisure travel, the continuing increase in Chinese arrivals is also attributed to the strategic cooperation with key Chinese travel trade and media partners which resulted in the expansion of air access between the Philippines and China," DFA said.

Direct flights from China to top travel destinations in the Philippines such as Boracay, Laoag, Clark and Cebu  also helped  in boosting tourism.

Philippines-based airlines such as Air Asia Zest, AirPhil Express and Cebu Pacific are also preparing to open chartered flights to luxury sites in Misibis Bay, Puerto Princesa and Bohol.