BI sees 3-million tourist arrivals this year

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is optimistic the country would meet its target of three million tourists visiting this year despite the recent travel advisories issued by several foreign governments against the Philippines due to alleged terrorist threats.

BI officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma reported yesterday that foreign tourists that have visited the Philippines in the past 10 months increased from 2,190,114 to 2,562,505 or an increase of 17 percent compared to last year.

Ledesma said the country is on track to hit its target of at least three million visitors in 2010 because traditionally, tourist arrivals spike during the last two months of the year when it is winter in the northern hemisphere and Europeans flock to tropical countries to escape the cold weather.

“The spate of negative travel advisories by foreign governments urging their citizens to avoid the Philippines hardly dented tourist arrivals,” Ledesma said in a statement.

He said 239,465 tourists arrived in the country last October, or an increase by almost 19,000 visitors compared to the 220,572 registered tourists last September.

BI data showed that 679,406 Americans arrived in the country from January to October, followed by 525,564 Koreans and 331,156 Japanese visitors.

Other frequent visitors are the Chinese with 229,989; Australians, 140,238; Canadians, 116,175; Britons, 113,041; Taiwanese, 99,465; Malaysians, 70,107; and Singaporeans, 66,336.

“This is a positive sign despite the negative travel advisories, we are succeeding in our efforts to promote the Philippines as a prime tourist and investment destination,” Ledesma said.

He said the increase in tourist arrivals showed the strong confidence of the international community in the government of President Aquino.

Ledesma said the BI would continue to pursue programs to make it easier for foreign tourists and businessmen to enter and do business in the country.

“We will continue to train our immigration officers so they will become true models of our vaunted Filipino traits of hospitality, courtesy and friendliness,” Ledesma said.

The countries that have issued travel advisories against the Philippines included the United States, Britain, Australia, France, New Zealand and Canada.

Japan has also issued its own travel advisory on the Philippines, reminding Japanese visitors to take precautions to avoid being a victim of criminal activity in the country. – With Rudy Santos, Christina Mendez