By Genalyn Kabiling  Some local airlines and hotels will offer discounted rates to boost domestic tourism in the country, President Duterte said on Monday as the coronavirus travel restrictions are keeping Chinese tourists away. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO) The President encouraged Filipinos to grab the opportunity to visit local destinations following a meeting with tourism stakeholders on efforts to cushion the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the industry. "The President wants Filipinos to visit the country’s local tourist destinations to boost the industry in the midst of the coronavirus scare. The 2019 nCoV has affected more than a dozen countries around the world," a Palace press statement read. "The President also said that some of the country’s major airlines and hotels agreed to offer discounted rates to the public to make a viable market for tourists," it added. In trying to attract domestic tourists, the President also highlighted the country's "good public health and law and order situation," according to the Palace. "Local tourist spots are also readily accessible,” it said. The Palace said the President's meeting with the tourism industry leaders sought "to counter the negative effects of the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) and to promote the country’s tourism sector to local tourists." "He expressed optimism that like other epidemics, the 2019 nCoV will eventually be contained," it said. The meeting was held amid concerns the virus outbreak in China may slow down tourism traffic in the country. The government has imposed a travel ban on foreign travellers from China and its special administrative regions as a precaution against the virus. South Koreans have been the country's top tourists, followed by Chinese visitors. Among those present in the meeting at the SMX convention center in Pasay City were Senator Christopher Go, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Philippine Hotel Owners Association President Arthur Lopez, AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricardo Isla, Philippine Airlines President Gilbert Santamaria, and Cebu Pacific Air President and CEO Lance Gokongwei.