BERLIN, Germany – The Philippines is off to a roaring start in 2024 as it records an impressive influx of international tourists, surpassing the 1.2 million mark in just over the first two months of the year. This milestone was proudly announced by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) 2024 Convention in Berlin, Germany.
Expressing gratitude to the stakeholders of Philippine tourism, Secretary Frasco hailed the significant achievement as a testament to the country’s growing appeal as a premier travel destination. “As of today, the Philippines has welcomed over 1.2 million international visitors, signaling a bright future for Philippine tourism,” remarked Secretary Frasco during the inaugural day of the country’s participation at ITB 2024.
According to the Department of Tourism’s report covering the period from January to March 2024, international tourist arrivals have reached 1,227,815, with foreign tourists constituting the majority at 1,160,129, accounting for 94.49 percent of the total arrivals. Additionally, Overseas Filipinos (OFs) contributed 67,686 arrivals, reflecting a diverse mix of visitors to the archipelago.
Secretary Frasco highlighted the remarkable 22.86 percent increase in arrivals compared to the same period in 2023, underscoring the sustained growth momentum in Philippine tourism. South Korea retained its position as the leading source market with 349,956 arrivals, followed by the United States of America, China, Japan, and Canada.
The department also reported positive trends in estimated visitor receipts, with January 2024 recording USD 652.26 million, reflecting a 4.84 percent increase compared to January 2023. These encouraging figures come on the heels of the Philippines’ successful attainment of over 5.45 million international visitor arrivals in 2023, surpassing industry targets.
Looking ahead, the Philippines aims to build on this momentum with a baseline target of 7.7 million arrivals for 2024, signaling its commitment to further elevate the tourism sector under the Marcos administration.
As the Philippines continues to position itself as a top travel destination, the robust growth in international tourist arrivals reflects the enduring allure of the archipelago’s natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality, inviting travelers from around the globe to discover the many reasons to Love the Philippines.
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