DOT Exceeds 2023 Targets with Over 5 Million Tourist Arrivals; Forecasts Continued Growth in 2024

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has announced that the Philippines welcomed over 5 million tourists this year, surpassing the initial 2023 target, according to DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

Secretary Frasco expressed her satisfaction, stating that the country not only exceeded the expected target but also surpassed the five-million mark before the year-end.

“I am pleased to report that as of December 12, we have surpassed the five-million mark in terms of international visitor arrivals, contributing an impressive 439.50 billion pesos in receipts. With the holiday break approaching, we are confident of surpassing our earlier target of 4.8 million for 2023, emphasizing our commitment to continuous growth for the industry and the economy,” said Secretary Frasco.

As of December 11, the total international visitor arrivals in the Philippines reached 5,069,752. Of this number, 91.88 percent, or 4,658,123 individuals, are classified as foreign tourists, while the remaining 8.12 percent, or 411,629, are Overseas Filipinos.

The top source markets for visitors include South Korea, the United States, Japan, China, and Australia.

The DOT highlighted the gradual recovery of the Philippines’ tourism sector, leading to the creation of more jobs for Filipinos. The country has achieved a recovery rate of 65.54% in international tourist arrivals from January to September 2023.

Visitor receipts from January to November reached PHP 458 billion, representing 95.85% of 2019 figures. The tourism sector created 5.35 million jobs in 2022, with expectations of further growth in 2023.

To strengthen tourism in the Philippines, the DOT prioritizes impactful and sustainable infrastructure projects, including Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Collaborating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the DOT has successfully developed 158 kilometers of tourism roads.

The DOT has also launched the “Love the Philippines” campaign, showcasing the country’s diverse tourism assets. Additionally, hospitality training programs, such as the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE), have been implemented.

In a bid to enhance convenience for tourists, the DOT initiated digitization projects and partnerships. These initiatives include improving internet connectivity in tourism destinations and introducing visa reforms.

Looking ahead to 2024, Secretary Frasco shared a target of 7.7 million arrivals. Despite acknowledging that this falls short of pre-pandemic numbers, she assured that the DOT would exert maximum effort and collaborate with other government agencies to approach and potentially surpass pre-pandemic figures amid global and local challenges. (ASC)