Tourism chief welcomes arrival increase, as Boracay uncertainty lingers on
The Philippine tourism industry continued its growth trend in February, reportedly reaching record breaking levels, according to the latest data on international tourist arrivals disclosed by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
For February, 673,831 visitor arrivals were recorded – number boosted by the continued growth of the Chinese tourist market, which accounted for 21.6 percent of the arrivals (145,536).
“For the first two months, we have already breached the 1.4 million tourist mark, another first in the history,” DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said.
The tourism chief said the latest figures bring to a total of 1,406,337 international visitors for January-February, which is 16.15 percent higher compared to the 1,210,817 total for the same period in 2017.
“The warming relations between the Philippines and China plus the recent Chinese New Year seven-day holiday strengthen the platform for us to jumpstart our campaign of achieving 1.5 million Chinese arrivals for this year,” Teo added.
Korea still top market
Chinese tourists recorded 256,880 arrivals, the most improved market with a 56.44 percent growth rate. Korea remained the Philippines top market, with 354,700 tourist arrivals.
American visitors came in third (193,985), followed by the Japanese (117,300), and Australians (50,404).
Completing the top twelve markets are Canada (48,191); Taiwan (40,856); UK (33,554); Singapore (28,117); Malaysia (24,334); India (23,064); and Hongkong (22,920).
Last year, the Philippines ranked ninth on the list of top destinations for Chinese outbound tourists, according to TravelChinaGuide, a leading Chinese travel agency.
According to the 2018 Spring Festival Travel Forecast Report issued by Ctrip, China’s largest online travel provider, and the China Tourism Academy, the Philippines was named eighth popular Chinese travel destination during the Chinese New Year.
Teo said the continued rise in the number of foreign guests bodes well for the higher targets set by the DOT amidst the controversy on the government’s plan to temporarily close Boracay to tourists and rehabilitate its drainage, sewerage and road systems to address water pollution, flooding and traffic problems.
“We welcome this increase in our arrivals as we brace for the possible effects of the Boracay rehabilitation. We remain optimistic that the ‘new’ Boracay after its beauty rest, will attract more tourists and help the industry break more records,” Teo added.