Dong Fang boosts national economy

CEBU, Philippines - In just a few months time, Dong Fang Leisure Philippines, Inc., a leisure company with offices based in Cebu and Guangzhou, China, has already contributed a significant share of tourism revenues, as well as to overall Chinese arrivals in the Philippines.

A top company representative estimated that a total of over 6,000 Chinese tourists have visited the country ever since Air Philippines has established its twice-weekly direct flights from Guangzhou to Cebu and vice versa last June 2011.

“The company has brought in two thousand Chinese visitors to the Philippines every month since mid-2011. This has resulted in the influx of over P30-M into the national economy by way of the average tourist staying four nights/five days and spending an average of P50,000,” related Alan Dino, Dong Fang senior vice president.

He added that the amount covered roundtrip airfares, hotel accommodations, food, transfers, shopping, and other incidentals which have a significant snowball effect on many other community and industry sectors.

The guests stayed mainly at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, and the Bohol Beach Club.

Guest profile consisted mainly of families with children as they indulged in the warm weather, shopping activities in SM and Ayala, and the delectable seafood specialties in the various restaurants in and around the city.

Guest feedback was mainly positive as the Chinese guests, almost all of whom were first-timers in the Philippines, enjoyed the various facilities, amenities, and sights which the destinations had to offer.

Since September serves as the start of the school year in China, arrivals may be slightly affected as the Chinese have their educational priorities in mind.

However, attendance won’t be affected too long since the next guest profile is expected to be dominated by businessmen, government officials, and entrepreneurs who may consider exploring networking linkages with local counterparts in the near future.

Dino added that the business sector will also need more time to assess the business climate and situationer of the immediate locale in order to get a more accurate picture of the feasibility and viability of their respective business venture.

Regarding the possible creation of a new direct flight serving Cebu and another Chinese province, Dino said the city of Wuhan serves as a likely possibility by the yearend due to a previous trade mission composed of over 35 Wuhan businessmen to Cebu a year ago.

Dong Fang has pioneered the creation of direct flights from China to Cebu six years ago initially for a select Chinese crowd who wanted to celebrate the Chinese New Year in a new destination.

Although Cebu served as the sole point of entry, the tourists also visited the cities and provinces of Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, Davao, and Manila in order to witness more of the country’s prized destinations and their landmark attractions. (FREEMAN)