MANILA – The Philippine tourism sector has so far generated USD4.2 billion (PHP242 billion) in visitor receipts from Jan. 1 to June 18, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the figure is up 0.48 percent, year on year.
As of July 30, the agency recorded 3,473,726 international visitors – 3.15 million foreigners and 317,536 overseas Filipinos.
In a media briefing in Makati City, Frasco said the DOT is planning to recalibrate its targets for 2025 to take into consideration the challenges the sector is currently facing.
Despite this, aggressive promotions will continue in the Philippines’ top markets, including South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
The DOT, Frasco said, would also increase Philippine exposure in Canada to capture more Canadian visitors with the recent launch of direct flights from Air Canada.
With recalibration underway, Manila is likewise looking at emerging markets to boost arrivals, among them Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and India, Frasco said.
“We’re taking a very close look at these exciting markets, especially India, which now has visa-free access and forthcoming direct flights to Manila,” she said.
Developing products
She added that the Philippines is diversifying its tourism offerings to include gastronomy, halal tourism, cultural arts, and experiential travel.
In the same briefing, she disclosed that the DOT is also providing training on Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group to ensure its readiness to receive tourists.
She said a tourism master plan is in the works for the island.
“I have advised TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority) that even prior to the finalization of the master plan, it’s important for us to provide short-term interventions like jetty ports, restrooms, and the like so that while the long-term plan is being finalized and will be executed years from now, the island is already able to benefit from touristic activities,” she said.
“We trust that TIEZA will do the necessary coordination, public consultation, and the like, in collaboration with our fellow government agencies.” (PNA)