Ilocanos welcome back Chinese tourists

The chartered flight from China touches down at LIA (DOT photo)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—Amid the simmering territorial dispute between China and the Philippines, Chinese tourists arrived at the Laoag International Airport om June 13, signaling the return of the Guangzhou-Laoag chartered flights.

Carrying more than a hundred passengers, the inaugural flight of the 156-seater China Eastern Airlines touched down at the Laoag airport at about 11:30 am on June 13.

As Ilocano dancers and drummers welcomed passengers in a festive grand airport welcome reception, Ma. Milagros Gonzales, provincial director of the Department of Tourism Laoag sub-office said the resumption of chartered flights here will certainly boost the local tourism industry.

Over a hundred Chinese tourists arrived at the Laoag International Airport as they are warmly welcomed by Ilocanos led by the Department of Tourism officials along with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos and Laoag City officials led by Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas and Vice Mayor Michael V. Fariñas. (Photo courtesy of DOT Laoag sub-office)

Initiated by the Guangdong International Travel Group, Chinese tourists are likely to be visible again in this northern part of Luzon to visit Ilocos Norte’s cinematic landscapes and various tourism destinations as they will be billeted at a five star hotel here to play golf and casino.

With the recent improvement and expansion of the Laoag airport, the DOT hopes to attract more charterers to Laoag City.

Starting June 13, chartered flights from Guangzhou to Laoag and vice versa will be on a twice weekly basis.

The LIA used to receive Chinese and Taiwanese tourists on regular chartered flights from Guangzhou and Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Over the years, however, the number of chartered flights and the arrival of Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean tourists in Laoag declined.

In 2010, direct flights from Hong Kong to Laoag were canceled following the hostage-taking at Luneta Park in Manila that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead.

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