The Department of Tourism reported robust growth in the sector last year, as DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted that it gained much more last year compared to 2023 in terms of spending by foreign tourists, even exceeding the data recorded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped global travel.
Frasco said a comparative survey of tourism spending per capita within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, conducted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), showed that international tourists coming into the country spend at least $2,073 per capita.
She added that compared to the average of nine nights in 2019, tourists are now staying an average of over 11 nights in the country. Additionally, 70 percent of tourists coming into the country are repeat visitors.
From January to December 15, 2024, Frasco said international visitor receipts surged to P172 billion, marking a 119 percent recovery from the P600 billion recorded in 2019.
She also noted that the April 2024 Labor Force Survey showed that 16.4 million Filipinos are employed in tourism, representing 34 percent of total employment in the first quarter, benefiting directly or indirectly from tourism.
According to the WTTC, the Philippines has the largest domestic tourism market in Southeast Asia, with a valuation of $52.1 billion in 2023.
Frasco stressed that the law establishing a value added tax refund mechanism for non-resident tourists, recently signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., would “significantly enhance the Philippines’ appeal as a premier tourism destination.”
The Philippine tourism industry may be growing, but there are still challenges that need to be faced to maximize its potential and improve the country’s competitiveness, especially compared to the regions’ leaders that have established themselves as the preferred destinations by consistently offering world-class experiences at all levels.
Hopefully 2025 continues the positive trend for the tourism industry, along with the rest of the country’s industries that need to continue growing so we can give our competition a run for their money.*
