LAOAG CITY –The recent state visit of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in China may have renewed the interest of Chinese tourists to visit the Philippines particularly the province of Ilocos Norte.
Last Tuesday morning, November 1, more than 100 tourists from China aboard China Eastern Airlines arrived at Laoag International Airport as part of the reopening of flights by China Eastern Airlines.
Sources said that an average of 300 Chinese tourists is expected to visit the Ilocos Region and other parts of the country every week.
These tourists will come via chartered flights from Guangzhou, China to Laoag City.
Airport officials said that the initial Chinese tourists last Tuesday were warmly welcomed as young Ilocano dancers and drummers performed during their arrival at the airport.
Vera Cheung of the well-known, Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel in Laoag City said that more Chinese tourists were encouraged to visit the Philippines after the fruitful and successful visit of Pres. Duterte in China.
Cheung said the Guangzhou-Laoag chartered flights stopped years ago due to several reasons including the expiration of the contract between the Fort Ilocandia and China Eastern Airlines.
China Eastern Airlines will fly directly from Guangzhou to Laoag, and vice versa, every Tuesday and Saturday. (tsg)
