Rosy prospects for...

Singapore, Laos, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Argentina, Cuba and Fiji.

“We hope that we would come back to the pre-pandemic level in the very near future,” Huang said.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) and the Philippine Airlines (PAL) in a separate briefing also welcomed the return of high-spending Chinese tourists.

“That’s additional income for our country and the Philippines is more than ready to accept tourists whatever nationalities would come in. We are very excited to give them our best services,” PTAA president Michelle Taylan said.

PAL recently resumed flights to Xiamen and Guangzhou, with hopes to open up more flights soon as Covid-19 curbs relax.

“We’re also working with authorities both here in the Philippines and China and into making sure that we of course observe all maximum health protocols,” PAL Assistant Vice President for Passenger Sales Marissa Dimaano said.

China was Manila’s second top source of foreign travelers in 2019 next to South Korea.

Based on the latest DOT data, the country now ranks 10th in terms of arrivals, with 6,673 visitors recorded as of Jan. 24. (PNA) n