Chinese media to come to Ilocos for area familiarization

By Carlo P. Canares

Thursday 26th of July 2012

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte, July 26 (PIA) – Ten members of the Chinese media are coming to Ilocos Norte on July 27, aboard a Zest Air maiden flight Shanghai-Manila as part of the DOT-Zest Air Familiarization Tour.

“Bringing our Chinese media friends is a result of a successful campaign made by our DOT Shanghai office and ‘Team China’ in our Manila Office,” said Milagros Gonzales, chief of the Department of Tourism (DOT). “The members of media joined the maiden voyage of Zest Air from Shanghai.”

Zest Air made its inaugural flight from Shanghai to Manila on July 25. It will be flying five times weekly.

Gonzales said these new flights would bring in more Chinese tourists and businessmen to the country and further strengthen relations between China and the Philippines.

From Manila where they have a coverage, Gonzales said, the Chinese media are expected in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte on July 27. Gonzales said the media group will limit themselves in covering Manila and the so-called “Laoag-Vigan Leg.”

The group is composed of the editorial team of New World Travelers Magazines, one of the top magazines in China with nationwide circulation; Soho.com, one of the most visited online sites in China; Shanghai Weekly, the main weekly newspaper in Shanghai; and Yeah Media, the trendsetting hotel, home, TV catalogue.

“In Ilocos Norte, they will visit the natural wonders, cultural heritage, the sports adventure, particularly the 4x4 wheel drive at the Sand Dunes geological wonder, which is, by the way, a favorite among our Chinese friends. In Vigan, Ilocos Sur, it will be the cultural heritage, a calesa ride and walking tour of the Heritage Village and pottery making at Pagburnayan, among others,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales is optimistic that this familiarization tour will bring in more tourists and revive the flights from China to Laoag City. (JCR/CPC-PIA1 Ilocos Norte)