The number of Chinese tourists coming into the country have bounced back months after an international court sided with the Philippines against China, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Tuesday.

There has been a 64 percent increase from 257,014 arrivals between January and July last year to 422,801 during the same period this year, said Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo.

Teo said Chinese tourist arrivals "dropped slightly" after the Permanent Court of Arbitration last July ruled in favor of the Philippines and said China's economic claim on the disputed territory had no basis.

But it soon recovered and has even grown in recent weeks, she said.

"This event goes to show that our country remains a safe place to visit despite travel warnings due to international politics and travel warnings," she said.

The beginning of the country's celebration of "Tourism Week" Saturday also saw the arrival of 2,275 tourists in Boracay from Xiamen, China.

The visitors were on board the Legend of the Seas, the first international cruise ship to take a trip to the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in July, according to the department.

An Ati-Atihan group also performed as local tourism staff handed out leis to tourists, which included Chinese professionals, retirees, and families with children.

"We are pleased to note that a charter has been initiated by travel trade counterparts in China. This underscores our continuing warm tourism and culture ties amidst the ongoing territorial strife. This augurs well for our industry and as we pursue our National Cruise Tourism Strategy grounded on ports development and rehabilitation," said Assistant Secretary Gwen Javier.

The visitors took a dip in Boracay's crystal-clear waters and laid down on the famous white sand beach while others went sightseeing in the nearby Aklan islands.

"We're so happy to host and accord our visitors from China the best tourism experience in Western Visayas as a world-class tourist destination," Catalbas said.

Two more Royal Caribbean cruise ships are set to arrive in October and November, according to the regional director.

The Chinese comprise the second largest tourist market of Region 6, just behind the Koreans.

Last year, at least 183,708 Chinese tourists visited Western Visayas, specifically Boracay, according to the DOT.