MANILA - The Philippine government expressed hope on Thursday that more tourists from Hong Kong will visit the country, particularly in the famous island of Boracy, after the Philippine Airlines launched a direct flight near the tourist destination.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the country's flag carrier had launched its direct flight from Hong Kong to Kalibo in Aklan province where Boracay is located on Wednesday.

"The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong looks forward to a significant increase in tourists from Hong Kong visiting Boracay and other points of interest in the Philippines given the Philippine government's target of 10 million tourists by 2016," the department said.

Another Philippine carrier, the Cebu Pacific, first launched its direct flight from Hong Kong to Kalibo last March 23.

Kalibo is one of the international gateways to the world-famous island of Boracay.

The Philippine government is targeting 4.6 million tourist arrivals for this year.