RP's infrastructure lack turns off Chinese tourists
JOSEPH HOLANDES UBALDE, GMANews,.TV
11/11/2009 | 06:22 PM
More than half a million Chinese tourists could be lured into visiting the Philippines if only it could improve its infrastructure, Beijing’s top diplomat to Manila said.
Currently, Chinese tourists – 640,000 of whom visit the world’s tourist spots – find the country’s lack of infrastructure and affordable lodging rates a turn off, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao told GMANews.TV.
“The Philippines should work on the infrastructure in the country," Jianchao said in a Manila forum on Tuesday. “Usually they can’t find a good hotel."
The lack of direct air flights to some of the best tourist destinations in the country keep Chinese tourists from visiting, Jianchao added.
“When the Chinese come, they come in high groups. If they are provided with good accommodation at reasonable prices, they would come here," he added.
In 2008, more than 160,000 Chinese tourists, or a fourth of the annual number of nationals leaving the mainland to travel, have come to the country.
Traditionally, Chinese tourists have opted to go to neighboring Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand for rest and relaxation.
“But now they want to spend holidays in beaches in the Philippines," he said.
Since mainland Chinese are getting richer, they have evolved from being sight-seers, who visit a country for a short period to holiday-makers, or those who opt to stay longer in a tourist spot.
The World Bank classified the China to lower middle-income country category, which are countries with per capita income greater than $1,785 but less than or equal to $3,705. - GMANews.TV
Currently, Chinese tourists – 640,000 of whom visit the world’s tourist spots – find the country’s lack of infrastructure and affordable lodging rates a turn off, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao told GMANews.TV.
“The Philippines should work on the infrastructure in the country," Jianchao said in a Manila forum on Tuesday. “Usually they can’t find a good hotel."
The lack of direct air flights to some of the best tourist destinations in the country keep Chinese tourists from visiting, Jianchao added.
“When the Chinese come, they come in high groups. If they are provided with good accommodation at reasonable prices, they would come here," he added.
In 2008, more than 160,000 Chinese tourists, or a fourth of the annual number of nationals leaving the mainland to travel, have come to the country.
Traditionally, Chinese tourists have opted to go to neighboring Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand for rest and relaxation.
“But now they want to spend holidays in beaches in the Philippines," he said.
Since mainland Chinese are getting richer, they have evolved from being sight-seers, who visit a country for a short period to holiday-makers, or those who opt to stay longer in a tourist spot.
The World Bank classified the China to lower middle-income country category, which are countries with per capita income greater than $1,785 but less than or equal to $3,705. - GMANews.TV
