Chinese are more interested in going to historical places like Vigan in Ilocos Sur as well as cultural attractions. (Vigan photo by RONALD JAYME)

More Chinese tourists are expected to visit the Philippines following the grant of an “Approval Destination Status” by the People’s Republic of China (PROC).

In fact, according to the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Chinese tourists in the Philippines surged to 37 percent in 2009.

By 2010, more than five million foreign visitors may come to the Philippines, according to the National Statistical Coordinator Board.

“The Philippines could achieve its target under the 2004-2010 Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan if it could sustain the growth in tourist arrivals,” said Florante Polistico, team leader of the board’s tourism satellite accounts.

More Chinese travelers are expected with the opening of direct flights to and from China. Emelinda Lee-Pineda, Philippine Consul General to Xiamen, China said the Chinese government had promised to coordinate with the Department of Tourism to promote the Philippines. Various special package tours and arrangements with Chinese companies are being done to attract Chinese tourists to include the Philippines in their itinerary, Pineda added. From Xiamen alone, some 20,000 tourists are issued Philippine visas every year.

Administrator Armand C. Arreza of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said officials of Shiji-azhuang and Taizhou cities, as well as one municipality in Southern China expressed support for direct flights to Subic.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jinchao said tourists from his country in 2009 reached 220,000, a 37 percent increase from the 160,000 Chinese visitors in Manila in 2008.

“It is encouraging to find out that the number of tourists to this country may be really increasing that fast,” Liu said, adding that most of the Chinese tourists who come to the Philippines are from mainland China.

Earlier, Liu said more foreign tourists will flock to the country if rates for accommodation and transportation will be reduced.

He said that unlike westerners, Japanese and Koreans who prefer going to the beaches and playing in golf courses here, the Chinese are more interested in going to historical places like Vigan in Ilocos Sur as well as cultural attractions.

He also cited Boracay and Bohol as popular destinations for Chinese tourists. Most Chinese tourists travel as a family and a big number of them come from the middle-age group.

China is the Philippines’ third largest trading and economic partner as well as the fourth largest when it comes to tourist arrivals.

The Philippines is ranked sixth among the Southeast Asian countries in terms of number of visitor arrivals. Malaysia is the top tourist destination, followed by Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. Following the Philippines is Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Brunei Darussalam.