Laoag International Airport. (File PNA photo)
LAOAG CITY – A wider and longer runway of the Laoag International Airport is now in the works to welcome back international tourists, particularly from China, soon.
While preparing for a trade mission and investment roadshow to China on May 16 to 20, 2023, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said Thursday that the resumption of regular China flights to Laoag will be included in their discussions.
“We want to welcome back our Chinese tourists and all other international tourists. Our China flights will ramp up soon,” he said.
The Laoag airport has been upgraded to Level 9 from its existing Level 7 category. A Category Level 9 airport permits wide-body Airbus 330 to land at the newly upgraded runway, according to airport manager Ronald Estabillo in an earlier phone interview.
In pre-pandemic times, Chinese nationals used to dominate Ilocos Norte’s foreign tourist arrivals based on records of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO). Some of them arrived via chartered flights from Guangzhou, China, and some via domestic flights.
For now, the governor has bared plans for the proposed establishment of a Chinese resort to cater specifically to them.
“What we want is for them to build their own resort in the province to cater to their needs. We would like to facilitate one hotel or resort for the Chinese market,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has committed to improving the existing golf course at the Malacañang ti Amianan located in Barangay Suba, Paoay town, while a casino is expected to resume its operations at the Fort Ilocandia Resort.
Over the years, China, having its own Chinese Consulate here, has sustained its friendly ties with the Ilocos Norte government under the Marcos administration.
As the gateway to East Asia, the governor expressed optimism that his team going to China next week will be able to encourage more Chinese businessmen and other investors to expand their network here.
"I believe we can collaborate more on agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, education, and renewable energy to develop our economy,” he said, adding that China continues to become the country’s number one export market. (PNA)
