Boracay is fifth most popular island destination for Chinese tourists

by Ardelle Costuna

(john valentine ii/Flickr/https://flic.kr/p/4VmBvG)

 

Filipinos have a rocky relationship with the Chinese, due to the ongoing territorial disputes and their alleged bullying of Filipino fishermen.

Conflicts aside, the Chinese are apparently in love with one Philippine island, according to Qunar, a Chinese-language travel website.

In a report from the South China Morning Post, the website listed five of the most-searched travel destinations, and Boracay came in fifth.

“White sand is the chief attraction for most mainlanders visiting Boracay, where beaches easily compete with the best of neighbouring Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia,” the report said.

Back in September, Chinese officials issued a travel ban against the Philippines, following reports of attempted attacks on Chinese companies and the embassy.

The ban obviously caused a decrease in Chinese guided tours, but other tourists still flocked the island.

Aside from Boracay, the other four top Chinese tourist destinations were Sanya, Hainan Province; Phuket, Thailand; Bali, Indonesia; and Maldives.