Yangtze Delta Tourism Alliance Chooses PH as China Resumes Outbound Group Tours
The Philippines was the featured country at the Forum. Clockwise, from top: (1) Consul General Ignacio keynotes the ‘thematic salon’ on PH tourism; (2) CG Ignacio and DOT Attaché Reyes before the start of the Forum; (3) Attachê Reyes presenting Philippine attractions.
SHANGHAI, 06 February 2023 – The Philippines is top-of-mind destination for travel agencies and tour operators catering to China’s high-income tourists from the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) area, as China readies to resume outbound group tours.
This was the unambiguous message and sentiment conveyed to Philippine Consul General in Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio and Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes by the leadership and member agencies of the Yangtze River Delta Integrated Tourism Alliance (YRDITA) on 02 February 2023 at the latter’s Cooperation Forum in Huangshan City, Anhui Province.
The YRD area is comprised of Shanghai Municipality and the Provinces of Provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui. With a combined population of around 235 million and a GDP of RMB 20.5 trillion (20.2% of GDP), the YRD is one of China’s richest regions per capita. Tourists from the YRD have high disposable incomes and high-spending.
With over a hundred travel agency and tour operator executives in attendance, the Forum devoted a special, exclusive “thematic salon” on the Philippine tourism. The move was in response to the Chinese government’s decision on 20 January to allow the resumption of outbound group tours beginning February 6 to an initial group of 20 countries that includes the Philippines.
Keynoting the segment, Consul General Ignacio recalled China’s stature as the second highest source of tourists into the Philippines in 2019, and welcomed China’s re-opening. “We are pleased at the eagerness of Chinese tourists to return to the Philippines. Their enthusiasm is matched only by the ardent welcome that awaits them at our 7,641 islands”, he emphasized.
Tourism Attaché Reyes delivered a well-received presentation on showcase Philippine travel destinations and offerings and the latest tourism and entry policy updates. Applauding as popular stops such as Palawan, Bohol and Boracay appeared on-screen, audience response reached fever pitch when the DOT introduced novel offerings such as private-island holidays.
On the Forum’s sidelines, Consul General Ignacio, Attaché Reyes, and DOT-Shanghai Sr. Marketing Manager Ms. Jiao Xue also held separate discussions on supporting Chinese tourism into the Philippines with YRDITA Chairman Mr. Zhang Xinzhong (GM, Jiangsu Comfort International Travel Service Co., Ltd.) and Executive Chairman Mr. Gu Mingqing (GM, Jiaxing Holiday International Travel Service Co., Ltd.), together with CEO Mr. XING Ping of Philippine JLC Travel and Tours. END
“The Philippines welcomes you!”: CG Ignacio and Attaché Reyes with Chair Zhang and Executive Chair Gu of the Yangtze River Delta Integrated Tourism Alliance and Mr. Xing Ping of Philippine JLC Travel and Tours.
For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.