China dubs PHL, 5 others as 'Best Tourist Destinations'
Chinese tourists voted Philippines among the
"Best Tourist Destination" in a survey sponsored by a top daily newspaper in
Shanghai City.
In a survey conducted by “Oriental Morning
Post”, Philippines won together with Ireland, Finland, Singapore, Korea and
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Consul General Charles C. Jose accepted the
award for the country in a ceremony held at a luxury hotel in Shanghai on Jan.
9.
Tourism Attaché Gerard Panga, and Philippine
Tourism Office in Shanghai's Neil Ballesteros accompanied Jose during the
event.
"The award supports the consumers' renewed
confidence in the Philippines, which remains to be a popular and sought-after
destination among Chinese tourists," according to a statement posted at the
Philippine Information Agency website.
From 2011 to 2012, the number of Chinese
visitors from the Philippines grew at least 5.36 percent, based on the
Department of Tourism data.
At least 233,174 tourists from China came to
the country from January to November 2012, the data also shows.
Airphil Express, a subsidiary airline of the
flag carrier Philippine Airlines, reactivated its Shanghai-Kalibo charters on
November 2012, according to a government statement.
Zest Air followed suit on Jan. 10, 2013. Cebu
Pacific, on the other hand, launched its maiden chartered flight on January
11.
"Other chartered flights will be opened in
time for the Chinese New Year holidays covering several routes: Beijing-Kalibo
(Jan. 15), Hangzhou-Kalibo (Jan. 17), Guangzhou-Cebu (January 17),
Chengdu-Kalibo (Feb. 5), and Shanghai-Cebu (Feb. 8)," according to the
statement.
"By the second and third quarters of 2013
(summer season, and Chinese National Day holiday), chartered flights out of
Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing and Xiamen will also be opened," it
also added.
The relationship of the two countries, China
and the Philippines went sour in 2012 as both claimed the Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal
as part of their territory. – Shaira F.
Panela / KDM, GMA News
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