MANILA, Philippines – Tourists from China, South Korea, the United States and Japan topped the number of arrivals of visitors in the country in the first two months this year, which showed a record high 854,187, or a 10 percent growth from 772,989 for the same period last year, the Department of Tourism said on Sunday.
DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez said tourist arrivals in February totaled 418,108, which was the first time in many years that visitors to the country breached the 400,00 mark.
“Our tourism numbers are now reaching unprecedented heights. We have a target of 5.5 million this year and 10 million by 2016,” Jimenez said.
Tourist arrivals have been hampered by limited airline flights into the country as result of civil aviation concerns. The government took steps to regain Category One Status from the US Federal Aviation Administration, which could also led to lifting of a ban by the European Union on flights into the country.
President Aquino also recently signed into law the Common Carriers Tax, which offered tax privileges to international airline companies. It improved the country’s competitiveness in the international travel market.
Jimenez said the government was supporting efforts “to raise greater demand, facilitate entry and access to the different tourist destinations in the country, and for host communities to create fun-filled experiences for visitors.”
“We need to seize this momentum of rising global attention to reach more markets and bring about conversion,” he said.
Jimenez said the Chinese New Year last January brought a huge number of tourists from Hong Kong, China, Macau and Taiwan, but visitors from South Korea registered the most number with 241,116 from January to February.
He said the second largest arrivals were from the United States with 120,868; followed by Japan, 73,621; China 69,610; Taiwan, 37,921; Australia, 34095; Singapore, 25,800; Canada, 25,338; Hong Kong, 23,097; Malaysia, 18,947; United Kingdom, 18,563; and Germany, 13,774.
The countries with double-digit arrivals include Russian Federation, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia, Jimenez said.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Tourists from China, South Korea, the United States and Japan topped the number of arrivals of visitors in the country in the first two months this year, which showed a record high 854,187, or a 10 percent growth from 772,989 for the same period last year, the Department of Tourism said on Sunday.
- The government took steps to regain Category One Status from the US Federal Aviation Administration, which could also led to lifting of a ban by the European Union on flights into the country.
- Jimenez said the Chinese New Year last January brought a huge number of tourists from Hong Kong, China, Macau and Taiwan, but visitors from South Korea registered the most number with 241,116 from January to February.
