MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed confidence in the country’s tourism gains as it breached the 1.2 million mark in the first two months of 2024.
In her speech at the Philippine Pavilion during the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) 2024 Convention in Berlin, Germany, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco announced that the Philippines has received over 1.2 million international visitors, which is an indication of a “robust” future for the country’s tourism industry.
“I would like to express my profound gratitude first to all our Philippine sellers who continue to champion Philippine tourism. As of today, [March 5], the Philippines has received over 1.2 million international visitors: a robust indication of the future of Philippine tourism. Cheers to all the reasons to celebrate and Love the Philippines,” enthused Secretary Frasco as she offered a toast to the successful first day of the country’s participation in the ITB 2024.
Data from DOT reports for January to March 2024 show that “as of March 5, international tourist arrivals to the Philippines have tallied 1,227,815.”
Foreign tourist arrivals took the lion’s share, with 1,160,129 or 94.49 percent while 67,686 or 5.51 percent consist of Overseas Filipinos (OFs), which is 22.86 percent higher than the 999,390 arrivals received by the country in the same period in 2023, Frasco added.
South Korea remains the country’s top source market for international visitor arrivals with 349,956 or 28.50 percent of the total, followed by the United States of America (USA) with 195,603 or 15.93 percent, China with 85,876 (6.99%), Japan with 73,159 (5.96%), and Canada landing on the fifth spot with 50,555 (4.12%).
Meanwhile, Australia took the sixth spot with 50,488 (4.11%), Taiwan with 42,955 (3.50%), United Kingdom with 30,507 (2.48%), Singapore with 25,253 (2.06%), and Germany with 20,816 (1.70%).
The Tourism Department is also seeing an increase of estimated visitor receipts. Based on data from the Visitor Sample Survey, estimated visitor receipts for January 2024 have totalled USD 652.26 million, or 4.84 percent higher than the USD 622.14 million recorded in January 2023.
In 2023, the Philippines received over 5.45 million international visitor arrivals, successfully breaching the 4.8 million arrivals target set by the industry. This year, the country has a baseline target of 7.7 million arrivals.
Spotlight on award-winning destinations of the PH at the ITB 2024
The country’s award-winning destinations and “hidden gems” from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, including Bohol, Siquijor, Cebu, Camiguin and Ilocos Sur, are the main attraction at the Philippine Booth.
According to the DOT, the Philippine Pavilion was designed with local elements from mother of pearl to bamboo print weaves, which became the backdrop for business-to-business (B2B) meetings of the participating sellers from 28 private companies and booth visitors from different regions of the world.
Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism (DOT)
The visitors were also entertained by the Loboc Children's Choir from Bohol and the Kalumon Performers from Davao and enjoyed the experience of wearing traditional Filipino baro't saya created by designer Avel Bacudio while posing with the heritage city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur as backdrop.
During the opening ceremony, Secretary Frasco highlighted in her speech that the goal of the country’s participation in the international event is to give “the best foot forward for the Philippines” toward the journey of transformation, a mandate that has been given by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in positioning the country as Asia’s next tourism powerhouse.
Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism (DOT)
“This is a coming together of the entire nation to rally for the Philippines by bringing the Philippine delegation to ITB Berlin to showcase our world-renowned destinations, our emerging and key destinations, and to remind the world that the Filipino story has yet to be told through the work of our local artisans and makers, our communities, our mega biodiversity of which we are truly blessed,” the tourism chief said.
“Our presence at ITB Berlin underscores our shared commitment to elevating and expanding the demand for Philippine tourism. As one united Philippines delegation, we will showcase to the world the very best qualities of the Philippines—our distinct culture, our unique product offerings, and of course, our greatest asset—the warmth and love of the Filipino people," she added.
Almost 60 delegates composed of co-exhibitors from the public and private sector joined the delegation led by Secretary Frasco and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines Chief Operating Officer (COO) Margarita Nograles, including representatives from hotel and resort enterprises, destination management companies, travel and tour agencies, government agencies such as the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), as well as the local government units of Bohol, Camiguin, Siquijor, and Sipalay, Negros Occidental.
