Chartered flights to spur influx of Chinese tourists

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of Chinese tourists are expected to visit the different tourism sites in the Philippines with Cebu as the focal destination point with the recent establishment of a- regular chartered flights organized jointly by Dong Fang Group of China, and Cebu Pacific Air (CEB).

The two entities will start these twice-a-week chartered flights this April 2010 making Cebu as the gateway for Chinese visitors to visit different destinations in Southern Philippines, especially in neighboring provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and Boracay Island.

Aside from Cebu Pacific, the Dong Fang Group, also inked partnership with Cebu-based travel agency—Grand Holiday Travel and Tours Inc., led by Margaret Gaisano-Ang.

According to Dong Fang Group chief operating officer (COO) Bu Wei Nian the two times a week chartered flights leaving Guangzou (China) to Cebu, there is now a growing interest of Chinese tourists to travel to the Philippines.

In the past two years, he said Philippines has been identified as one of the favorite vacation and leisure destinations among Chinese travelers.

Because of the proximity of China and the Philippines, and the attractive beaches and other come-ons, Chinese have become much more interest of the Philippines as their top pick vacation hub, although Thailand is still the number destination for Chinese travelers at present.

Each year, an average of 1.5 million to 1.3 million Chinese travel outside their country, large number of these travelers to go Thailand, as it has effectively marketed its tourism attractions to the Chinese market far way ahead than the Philippines.

However, he said that with the active stance of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Philippines to lure more Chinese tourists to visit to the Philippines, as well as the private sector, Philippines is beginning to gain popularity among Chinese travelers.

Alan Dino, senior vice president for Dong Fang Group Philippines, said that this partnership with Cebu Pacific and Grand Holiday Travel and Tours that will start this coming April 25, will run for a year.

“We are strong on all factors that draw Chinese tourists to a country. We have value-for-money destination packages, pervasive Chinese influences, and visa-upon-arrival for tourists,” said Eduardo Jarque Jr., Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions.

“We also position ourselves as a prime destination for Chinese couples wanting to have their wedding and honeymoon abroad,” Jarque further said.

Edwin Bautista, Cebu Pacific vice president for sales and marketing, the airline will utilize a 179-seater and 150-seater aircraft to service this Guangzou-Cebu and vice-versa chartered flight program.

Grand Holiday Travel and Tours Inc. president Margaret Gaisano-Ang said that Chinese tourists top three favorite activities once in Cebu aside from sight-seeing are shopping, relaxation (spa and wellness).

But, as the Chinese travelers have matured over the years, they are now also demanding for other adventurous activities, such as diving, among others.

Gaisano-Ang said Cebu’s economy will be well benefited by the influx of Chinese tourists as they are regarded at one of the highest spenders among foreign tourists’ groups.

Economist Nicholas Kwan, Standard Chartered Bank regional head of Research in Asia, earlier said that what is good in attracting Chinese, is they not only traveling as tourists, but also traveling as “invest-consumers” as most of them are shopping in bulk for business back in China.

A travel expenditure of one Chinese tourist is equivalent to four to five tourists combined. This means, that Chinese visitors spend more than the traditional foreign tourists.

“Chinese [travelers] are either tourists or investors, they buy in bulk, that’s why in Hong Kong we call them ‘invest-consumers’,” Kwan said.