The Philippines generated P712 billion in tourism revenues from Jan. 1 to Dec. 15, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco also reported that the country welcomed 5,646,351 foreign visitors by mid-December, achieving a 119 percent recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels.
While 2024 revenues fell short of the P3.36 trillion recorded in 2023, Frasco emphasized the tourism industry’s continued recovery.
She pointed out that despite foreign arrivals not reaching the 7.7 million target, the sector remains strong.
South Korea led the source of foreign arrivals, accounting for 26.66 percent, or 1,505,251 visitors, followed by the United States with 15.75 percent, or 889,489 visitors.
Japan ranked third with 6.51 percent, or 367,747 visitors, while China and Australia took the fourth and fifth spots, contributing 5.43 percent, or 306,549 visitors, and 4.41 percent, or 249,130 visitors, respectively.
Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia rounded out the top 10 sources of foreign tourists.
Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) April 2024 Labor Force Survey, 16.4 million workers, or 34.11 percent of the nation's workforce, are employed in tourism-related industries, either directly or indirectly.
Calabarzon topped the list of regions with the highest tourism employment, recording 2.92 million jobs, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 2.80 million, and Central Luzon with 2.49 million.
Central Visayas and Western Visayas ranked fourth and fifth with 1.57 million and 1.07 million tourism-related jobs, respectively.
“These statistics underscore the vital role of tourism in uplifting lives and fueling economic growth,” Frasco said.
Frasco also reiterated the DOT’s commitment to promoting both established and emerging destinations across the country to enhance tourism opportunities further.
Looking ahead to 2025, Frasco emphasized the DOT’s ongoing efforts to boost the Philippines' global appeal and support inclusive economic growth.
“Our focus remains on increasing visitor receipts, improving employment, and positioning tourism as a key driver of national development,” she said.
To maintain the sector’s momentum, the DOT plans to launch new programs and form partnerships aimed at strengthening the country’s position as a premier global tourism destination.