Chinese tourist boom predicted for Philippines

The Philippine Embassy to China says there's been a 200% surge in visa applications from Chinese tourists and businesspeople within to visit the Islands, reports the Philippine media outlet Inquirer.net.

Philippine Ambassador to China, Jose Santiago Santa Romana, said the sharp increase came after the Chinese government lifted all travel advisories on the Philippines.

The Bohol Island is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines. [Photo: baidu.com]

Before the South China Sea Issue was resolved, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines saw a huge decline, added Santa Romana.

Thanks to what he described as 'the new foreign policy' and the 'friendly approach' of President Rodrigo Duterte, the country's tourism revived, said Santa Romana.

The envoy also said he expected the number of Chinese visitors to top one million this year.

Last year, Chinese tourists and business people made 676,000 visits to the Philippines, up 37.65% year-on-year.