‘Phl has one of lowest tourist arrivals in Southeast Asia’

MANILA, Philippines - Despite an aggressive tourism campaign and record high arrivals, the Philippines still remains one of the countries with the lowest tourist arrivals in Southeast Asia.

Latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showed that the Philippines’ share in international tourism arrivals in 2012 stood at 1.8 percent compared to Malaysia’s 10.7 percent; Thailand’s 9.6 percent; Indonesia’s 3.9 percent; and Vietnam’s 2.9 percent.

Asia and the Pacific was the fastest growing region in 2012 with a seven percent increase, or 15 million more international tourist arrivals than in 2011.

The Philippines’ tourism receipts have increased to $4 billion in 2012 from $3.19 billion in 2011 and $2.6 billion in 2010. The $4 billion tourism receipts of the Philippines represents two percent of the entire Southeast Asian region.

Southeast Asia posted the highest growth among Asian sub-regions, with nine percent more tourist arrivals.

Thailand recorded a 16 percent increase in tourist arrivals in 2011.

Cambodia and Vietnam also posted double-digit growth last year, with 24 percent and14 percent, respectively.

Myanmar saw the highest growth in international tourism with 52 percent.

The Philippines, however, was among the world economies with a significant tourism expenditure in 2012, the report showed.

“Source markets beyond the Top 10 showing substantial growth were Arab Emirates, Colombia, Egypt, Kuwait, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine and the Philippines,” it said.

In another report released in January this year, it said among smaller markets with significant growth were Venezuela (+31 percent), Poland (+19 percent), Philippines (+17 percent), Malaysia (+15 percent), Saudi Arabia (+14 percent), Belgium (+13 percent), Norway and Argentina (both +12 percent), Switzerland and Indonesia (both +10 percent).

The UNWTO noted that by region, Asia and the Pacific (+7 percent) was the best performer, while by sub-region Southeast Asia, North Africa (both at +9 percent) and Central and Eastern Europe (+8 percent) topped the ranking.

“The year 2012 saw continued economic volatility around the globe, particularly in the Eurozone,” said UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai.