Philippines sees over 1.2 million visitors’ arrival in first two months of 2024

Thursday, March 7, 2024

The Philippines has witnessed a remarkable surge in international tourism, with over 1.2 million visitors gracing the country in just the first two months of 2024, as announced by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

This achievement marks a significant milestone, showcasing a robust upward trajectory in the tourism sector. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, speaking at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) 2024 Convention in Berlin, Germany, highlighted this achievement as a clear indicator of the bright future of Philippine tourism. She extended her gratitude towards the Philippine sellers for their relentless efforts in promoting tourism in the country.

This notable increase in tourist arrivals signifies a 22.86 percent rise compared to the 999,390 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2023. Of the 1.2 million visitors, the majority were foreign tourists, constituting 94.9 percent (1,160,129), while overseas Filipinos made up 5.51 percent (67,686). The DOT has set an ambitious target of attracting 7.7 million international visitors for the year 2024, and the current figures suggest that the country is well on its way to achieving this goal.

South Korea has emerged as the leading source market for the Philippines, with 349,956 visitors, underscoring the strong travel linkages between the two countries. The United States followed with 195,603 visitors, demonstrating the strong ties and the appeal of the Philippine islands to American travelers. China, Japan, and Canada also contributed significantly to the influx, along with visitors from Australia, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Germany, highlighting the global appeal of the Philippines as a premier tourist destination.

The economic impact of this surge in tourism is substantial, with January 2024 alone seeing estimated visitor receipts totaling USD 652.26 million, a 4.84 percent increase from USD 622.14 million in January 2023. These figures reflect not only the Philippines’ growing popularity as a travel destination but also its potential for further growth and development in the tourism sector. This positive trend is a testament to the concerted efforts of the Philippine government and the tourism industry stakeholders in promoting the country’s natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality on the global stage.

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