Tourist arrivals up 10% in Jan-April

MANILA, Philippines – Some 1.65 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines in the first 4 months of 2013, registering a growth of 10% from the 1.5 million recorded in the same period last year.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. attributed the growth to increased travel demand during the summer season, and the success of the Tourism department’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign.

“This growth is an affirmation of our various marketing and destination development activities, strengthened by partnerships with various stakeholders,” he said. “While the upsurge may primarily be attributed to the summer season, it is also a clear indication that the nation has galvanized its reputation as an attractive destination.”

South Korea was the leading visitor market, accounting for 406,595 or 24.65% of the tourists who visited the Philippines during the period.

Following Korea were:

• US, with 246,011 tourists (14.91% share)
• Japan, 148,950 tourists (9.03%)
• China, 132,027 tourists (8.02%)
• Australia, 72,015 tourists (4.37%)
• Taiwan, 68,654 tourists (4.16%)
• Singapore, 55,096 tourists (3.34%)
• Canada, 50,352 tourists (3.05%)
• Hong Kong, 45,734 tourists (2.77%)
• United Kingdom, 43,055 tourists (2.61%)
• Malaysia, 35,069 tourists (2.13%)
• Germany, 28,799 tourists (1.75%)

On track with targets

The January-April figure represents 30% of the 5.5 million foreign tourist arrivals target of the government for 2013.

Jimenez said they are on track to meet the goal, as well as the 10 million target set for 2016.

“This building enthusiasm for the Philippines, aided by our government’s good governance agenda, gives us the confidence to achieve our target of 10 million tourist arrivals by 2016,” he said.

INFOGRAPHIC: Is 10-M tourists goal possible?

Jimenez noted that infrastructure partnerships among government, and industry and civil society groups are crucial in reaching the goal. 

READ: PH surprises with 7.8% growth in Q1

Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan earlier reiterated the government’s intention to pour more money into infrastructure developments, especially tourism-related ones, to keep the country’s growth momentum going.

“Going forward, we intend to focus on priority sectors that are potential growth drivers and job generators such as tourism,” he said as the government released the Philippines’ first-quarter economic growth data on Thursday, May 30. – Rappler.com