Tourism within the Philippines has skilled a big resurgence, with official information revealing 1.7 million vacationer arrivals within the first three months of 2024. This marks a 21.3% improve in comparison with 2023, with 1.29 million arrivals.
The rise in arrival numbers through the first quarter of this yr is anticipated to assist the nation attain pre-pandemic tourism ranges earlier than the top of 2024. The Division of Tourism is intensifying its international tourism marketing campaign, increasing its attain to extra cities worldwide, together with the Center East, and launching a nationwide effort to spice up Halal tourism.
In response to the most recent tourism statistics, South Korean vacationers stay the highest guests to the Philippines, accounting for 27.59% of the entire arrivals. Within the first quarter of 2024, 458,619 South Koreans visited the nation, a slight improve from final yr. America is in second place with 264,690 vacationer arrivals, representing a 15.92% share of the entire arrivals. This can be a 4.36% improve from the primary quarter of 2023. China is third with 109,568 arrivals, accounting for six.59% of the entire guests, a big improve of 149.9% from final yr. Japan is in fourth place with 109,347 arrivals, representing 6.34% of the entire guests, a 63.21% improve from the primary quarter of 2023. Australia got here in fifth with 67,634 arrivals, accounting for 4.07% of the entire guests. Nonetheless, it is a 3.75% drop from the primary quarter of 2023, when 70,266 Australians visited the Philippines.
As a consequence of strong transport connections, the Philippines, recognized for its affordability and various choices, is anticipated to expertise a rise in regional vacationer arrivals. Fitch Options predicts that international customer ranges will return to pre-pandemic numbers, with arrivals estimated to achieve 8.21 million by the top of 2024. The Division of Tourism has set a extra conservative goal of seven.7 million vacationer arrivals for this yr. In 2023, the Philippines welcomed over 5.45 million international guests, surpassing its projection of 4.9 million for the yr.
