Metro Manila tops Cebu as major tourist destination

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila is now the favorite destination among foreign and local tourists, overtaking Cebu, the Department of Tourism reported yesterday.

Data from DOT showed that Metro Manila posted a total of 437,170 tourists or 37. 10 percent growth compared to the number of visitors during the same period last year.

Tourism officials said foreign and domestic tourists significantly expanded as more international and local meetings, congresses and conventions, as well as special events were organized by major companies and organizations in the metropolis.

 “This growth is likewise attributed to the opening of new tourism spots such as the Newport Entertainment City, Manila Oceanarium coupled with the visit of more cruise ships at the Manila South Harbor,” tourism officials said.

According to DOT, tourist volume in the country’s top destinations during the first quarter of 2010 posted a 6.64 percent growth.

Based on DOT data, foreign tourist arrivals increased faster at 7.89 percent while domestic tourism went up by six percent during the same period.

The erstwhile top destination Cebu dropped to second spot with 435,987 tourists or three percent growth in the first three months of the year.

Camarines Sur was the third most frequented destination with 348,139 tourists, mostly from the United States, United Kingdom, Korea and Germany.

Tourist volume in Boracay Island went up by 20 percent to 190,178 while foreign tourists in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan grew by 23 percent.

DOT said tourist arrival in Bohol also increased by 4.20 percent. Major markets for Bohol included China which accounted for 19 percent share of the total tourist volume, followed by the Americans, Taiwanese and Koreans with 10 percent, 9.5 percent and eight percent shares, respectively.