The number of Chinese tourists from the Chinese mainland flocking to the Philippines'premier island-beach resort Boracay during the first five months of 2019 reached 218,161, data from the Malay Municipal Tourism Office showed on June 12.

Data showed that the Chinese tourists visiting Boracay from January to May 2019 increased by 46 percent from the 148,964 Chinese tourist arrivals recorded in the same period in 2018.

The tourism office dubbed the Chinese mainland the largest source of visitors to Boracay,known for a spectacular white-sand beach,sapphire seas and spectacular sunsets.

The local tourism office also noted that new airline routes and warmer Philippine ties with China have helped boost Chinese tourist arrivals to Boracay.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said tourism managed to contribute 12.7 percent to the Philippines' gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018,up 0.5 percentage points from 12.2 percent in 2017.

The PSA said the contribution of tourism to the Philippine economy, as measured by the share of tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) to the GDP, amounted to 2.2 trillion pesos (roughly US$42.55 billion) in 2018, higher by 14.3 percent compared to previous year's record of 1.9 trillion pesos (roughly US$36.75 billion).

Chinese tourists jump on the beach in Boracay, the Philippines.

Data showed that the Chinese tourists visiting Boracay from January to May 2019 increased by 46 percent from the 148,964 Chinese tourist arrivals recorded in the same period in 2018.