PH hits 4M foreign visitors, reaches half of 2024 goal

The Philippines has welcomed 4.08 million international visitors as of September 5, 2024, marking the halfway point toward its year-end goal of 7.7 million tourist arrivals. The milestone was announced by Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco during the opening of the 35th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) at the SMX Convention Center.

While the Department of Tourism (DOT) remains 3.61 million visitors short of its target, Frasco emphasized that the figures demonstrate a sustained global interest in the Philippines as a travel destination. "This financial rebound underscores the growing appeal of the Philippines and the robust recovery of the tourism sector," Frasco said, highlighting that the tourism sector has fully recovered in terms of revenues.

From January to August 2024, the country recorded PHP 362 billion in tourism receipts, a 111.17 percent increase from the same period in 2019, signaling a stronger-than-expected financial recovery post-pandemic.

To sustain the momentum, Frasco noted that the DOT is committed to expanding its tourism portfolio, focusing on experiential tourism and diversifying its product offerings to attract more visitors. "We are offering unique and immersive experiences that connect visitors to the heart and soul of the Philippines," Frasco said.

In addition to encouraging international tourism, Frasco also called on Filipinos to explore domestic destinations, leveraging platforms like the Philippine Travel Mart. The three-day event, which runs until September 8, features over 300 exhibitors and offers discounted travel packages, including tours to emerging destinations such as the Spratly Islands and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The PTM, organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), has been a significant contributor to domestic tourism growth, with last year’s event generating PHP 240 million in sales and drawing around 60,000 attendees. This year, the exhibition also includes international travel packages for popular destinations in Asia, the US, Europe, and Australia.