On track for 5.5 M target: Tourist arrivals up 11% in Q1

MANILA, Philippines - Tourist arrivals went up 11 percent to 1.27 million in the first quarter of the year, reflecting improved confidence of international travelers in the Philippines, data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed.

Koreans still topped the list of foreign tourists frequenting the Philippines at 25.83 percent of total during the period, followed by the United States at 14.63 percent Japan at 8.99 percent.

Other top foreign visitors are from China (7.73 percent); Taiwan (4.24 percent); Australia (4.22 percent); Singapore (3.27 percent); Canada (3.03 percent); Hong Kong (2.83 percent) United Kingdom (2.55 percent); Malaysia (2.14 percent) and Germany (1.77 percent).

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, in a text message to The STAR, said they are optimistic the influx of foreign tourists would be sustained for the rest of the year.

“We are on track of our target of 5.5 million foreign tourists arrival for 2013,” Jimenez said. By the end of the Aquino administration in 2016, the number of tourists arrival is expected to hit 10 million, he added.

The DOT chief said they are also confident that amidst continuing implementation of tourism-related reforms, more foreign visitors would start traveling to the Philippines.

“Philippine tourism has found its strength. There is room to grow and improve our offering even more,” he said.

Jimenez said the overall positive outlook of Filipinos also helps in boosting the tourism industry.

“The biggest change: our optimism and self-confidence as a people,” he said.

In a separate interview, Tourism Undersecretary Daniel Corpuz said revenues from foreign tourists likewise improved with the subsequent rise in the number of arrivals for the quarter.

Total revenues from foreign arrivals are computed based on their average expenditure per night and the average number of days of stay in the country.

As of the latest data, Corpuz said the average spending of a foreign tourist in the country is pegged at $93 per night and the average days of stay is 9.6 days.

“Using these numbers, revenues could hit about $1.15 billion for the quarter,” he said. This is slightly higher than $1 billion registered in the same period in 2012.

Jimenez, in an earlier statement, said with the recent lifting of the significant safety concerns (SSCs) by the United Nations – International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Philippines can look forward to regaining Category I status from the US Federal Aviation Administration and the subsequent lifting of the European Union (EU) ban.

“The rationalization of the common carriers tax (RA 10376), which was signed into law by President Aquino earlier this month, is also seen to aid in improving and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the international travel arena,” he said.

“With these two major milestones, we shall see greater traffic to and from more destinations, stimulating more business for both foreign and local carriers.”