BY BEN ARNOLD O. DE VERA REPORTER

TAIPEI: The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said it expects Taiwanese tourist arrivals to slightly go up next year, as it would aggressively lure in mostly honeymooners and divers to the Philippines’ pristine beaches. Ireneo Reyes, MECO director for tourism, said they target full-year Taiwanese arrivals to the Philippines to reach 106,000 in 2009, about 10-percent lower than last year. The number of arrivals from Taiwan last year grew about 6 percent. “This year is a problematic year for Taiwan’s outbound market,” the official said.

Data from Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation showed that arrivals to the Philippines were down 16.02 percent at end-October. In October alone, Taiwanese arrivals declined about a third year-on-year. Reyes blamed this sharp decline on strong typhoons that struck both countries that month, causing numerous travel cancelations.

But the official said they expect Taiwanese arrivals to the Philippines to have picked up starting last month.

As the island-nation shows signs of economic recovery, Reyes said they see between 3-percent and 5-percent growth in arrivals from Taiwan next year.

The official said 85 percent of Taiwanese visitors come to the Philippines for leisure, while others come for business or to visit family and friends.

To boost the number of Taiwanese tourists, Reyes said MECO would market the Philippines’ beaches to couples and honeymooners. Among local sites to be positioned as wedding and honeymoon destinations is Boracay, which the official said remains a favorite among the Taiwanese.

Also, Davao and Camarines Sur would be marketed to Taiwanese tourists looking for adventure.

In light of the potential influx of tourists from Taiwan during their upcoming Chinese New Year break, Reyes said Philippine Airlines (PAL) would add two more flights to Cebu and three to Kalibo. PAL on Wednesday inaugurated a Taipei-Kalibo charter flight.

PAL has a total of 11 weekly flights to Taiwan—nine from Manila and two from Cebu.

China Airlines would also launch charter flights for the Taichung-Kalibo and Kaohsiung-Kalibo routes in the same peak season, while Trans Asia Airlines would introduce a Taipei-Kalibo flight during summer of next year, the official said.