Easier visas for Chinese tourist needed in Manila

Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corp called on the country’s new government to ease visa requirements for Chinese tourists.

The Philippines.- Geoffry Andres, Melco Crown Resorts Corp president has called on the country’s new government to ease visa requirements for Chinese tourists. The company operates a resort in Manila’s City of Dreams.

“We have a big opportunity to [tap] this mainland Chinese market and one of the things on my wish list is easing the visa requirements for Chinese tourists,” said Andres. He added that a number of countries including the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand had eased visa rules for Chinese tourists in recent years.

Currently, the Philippines allows tourists from several countries and regions, including holders of passports issued respectively by Hong Kong and Macau, two special administrative regions of China, to enter the Philippines without a visa; for short-term, business- or tourism-related stays. However, China passport holders are required to apply for a visa to enter the Philippines.

Macau’s new regulations have driven some Macau gambling business from Chinese players offshore, to other gambling hubs in Asia, which presents an opportunity for The Philippines to increase its Chinese client base.

It has transpired that Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines’ new president want to improve diplomatic and political relations with China, following a number of territorial and other disputes during the administration of his predecessor Benigno Aquino. Duterte will be sworn into office on June 30.