| Southeast Asia's holiday hotspots, hit by billions in lost business from Chinese tourists, are turning to markets closer to home to soften the blow from travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus epidemic.
In the Philippines, the government and tourism players last week launched a travel campaign led by President Rodrigo Duterte. The flu-like virus' spread has also prompted countries to shut doors to Chinese travellers, who are a major source of growth for many Southeast Asian economies. Thailand, Southeast Asia's biggest market for Chinese tourists, is now offering special packages for local elderly, which allows their expenses to be used for their children's tax deductions., the region's second-largest market for Chinese tourists, said it would waive entrance fees to some tourist attractions when the outbreak is over.