MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Tourism reported 2.14 million tourists in the first 6 months of the year, according to Deputy Palace Spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Sunday, August 5.
This is less than half of the 2012 target of 4.6 million tourists but an improvement of 11.68% over the same period last year.
In a press briefing, Valte said, “We are hoping that we would achieve our target….It looks like we’re making good progress on that.”
Valte said biggest sources of tourists to the Philippines are South Korea, the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Australia, and that the DOT is working to expand the tourism market through the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign, among others.
She also said that the ongoing Olympics in London, the DOT’s ongoing campaign there is maximized. Double-decker buses in London adorned with “It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ posters are also being seen by other tourists watching the games.
In his State of the Nation Address last month, President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed confidence that the country would achieve its target of 4.6 million tourist arrivals this year, based on the half-year figures.
Through a more relaxed regulatory restrictions on foreign airlines and still-to-be completed airport upgrades in various tourism spots in the country, the Aquino government hopes to increase tourism arrivals to 6 million a year starting 2016.
The Aquino government targets to increase tourism receipts to complement existing dollar earners, like remittances from Filipinos working abroad and product exports. – Rappler.com
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