A Philippine delegation led by Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon will promote for the "Visit Philippines 2003" campaign in China from Sept. 8 to 17.

Gordon is optimistic that the upcoming road show in China will be met with enthusiasm by the major tourist markets in the Chinese region, especially by the Filipino community in Hong Kong, the Tourism Department said Tuesday.

The sales mission shall cover the major Chinese outbound tourist areas such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing and Hong Kong.

"With the overwhelming support we received from the Filipino communities in key cities in the United States and Canada, we willbe working hard to entice outbound tourists from the world's most populated nation to explore the Philippines' diverse tourist attractions," Gordon said in a press release.

Gordon revealed that Manila, Laoag, Vigan in the northern Philippines and Cebu in the central Philippines are the favorite destinations of Chinese visitors with shopping, dining and sightseeing topping their list of activities.

During the first six months of this year, the Department of Tourism recorded a remarkable 49.6 percent increase in Chinese tourist arrivals, or 13,230 persons compared to 8,841 recorded in the same period last year.

Gordon attributed this increase in arrivals to the "Visa-Upon-Arrival" policy adopted by the government since late last year and the improved tourist security in major tourist areas around the country.

The China sales mission is the second leg of a worldwide tourism promotions blitz that aims to intensify marketing efforts aimed at strategic markets in the continents of North America, Asia and Europe.

After the China leg, the road shows and sales missions will be brought to other major tourist markets such as Japan, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Australia and Europe.

( People's Daily September 3, 2002)