Tourism Revenues in January 2025 Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels

The Philippines earned over USD 1 billion, or more than PHP 65 billion, from tourism in January 2025, exceeding pre-pandemic earnings in 2019, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

DOT data as of February 28, 2025, showed that the country’s tourism revenue for the month reached USD 1.1 billion (PHP 65.3 billion), higher than the USD 821 million (PHP 43 billion) recorded in January 2019. The latest figures represent a 136.1 percent increase in dollar value and a 151.46 percent rise in peso terms.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the growth reflects the industry’s recovery and contribution to the country’s economy. She added that the revenue increase means more job opportunities, especially in rural areas.

The January 2025 earnings also surpassed those of January 2024, which stood at USD 652.2 million (PHP 36.5 billion). This represents a 71.4 percent rise in dollar terms and a 78.81 percent increase in peso revenue.

The DOT compiles tourism revenue data using visitor surveys, arrival and departure records, shipping manifests, and the eTravel system. The agency reported that in 2024, tourism earnings reached an all-time high of PHP 760 billion.

Meanwhile, the Philippines welcomed 1,167,908 foreign visitors in the first two months of 2025. South Korea remained the top source, contributing 295,611 tourists, followed by the United States with 229,836 and Japan with 83,208. Other major sources included Canada, Australia, China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and France.

The DOT expects South Korean arrivals to increase further following the appointment of Korean celebrity Seo In-Guk as a tourism ambassador in February.

Secretary Frasco assured continued efforts to strengthen tourism, emphasizing partnerships with industry stakeholders to attract more visitors. (ASC)