FOREIGN TOURISTS DUMAGSA(2.39M hanggang Dis. 15)

UMABOT ang tourist receipts ng bansa sa P130 billion habang ang arrivals ay umakyat sa mahigit 2.39 million, ayon sa Department of Tourism (DOT).

Sinabi ni Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco na ang pagluluwag sa travel restrictions at health protocols ay nakapag-ambag sa mataas na tourism revenues na nagkakahalaga ng USD2.34 billion o P130.59 billion hanggang Oktubre 31.

Samantala, ang foreign travelers ay pumalo sa 2,397,919 hanggang Disyembre 15, 2022, kung saan ang top visitors ay nagmula sa United States na may 447,278, sumusunod ang South Korea na may 374,097, Australia na may 118,228, Canada na may 109,041, at United Kingdom na may 90,196.

“The projections of the Department of Tourism were that we would have arrivals pegged at 1.7 million only by the end of this year. Because of the changes that have been instituted, as well as the direction of our president to prioritize tourism, we’ve seen that we now have visitor arrivals of close to 2.4 million, far exceeding projection,” wika ni Frasco.

Ang numero ay malayo pa sa pre-pandemic levels subalit kumpiyansa ang DOT na tataas pa ito.

“Our goal is no longer to go back to pre-pandemic levels as far as international arrivals, but really to exceed it simply because of the quality of our destinations in the Philippines that far exceed many across the globe, and also because of the distinct warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people that is unique all over the world,” ayon pa kay Frasco.

Para sa 2023, target ng DOT na maabot ang tatlong milyon hanggang apat na milyong tourist arrivals.

“Of our international arrivals, a little over 75 percent are foreign arrivals. This means that the tourism industry, in terms of international arrivals, is well on its way. Our goal now is to further that growth by inviting our fellow Filipinos to help us in the task of increasing these tourist arrivals, having in mind the necessity for sustainable tourism in our destinations, which we’re doing closely with our local governments,” aniya.

Sa pamamagitan ng newly launched Bisita Be My Guest campaign, layon ng DOT na muling ipakilala ang Pilipinas bilang pangunahing tourist destination.

“Now as travel restrictions have eased, we look forward to inviting our foreign friends and guests to visit our country and to offer a wide range of culturally rich experiences along with all types of outdoor recreational activities on water and on land,” dagdag ni Frasco.

PNA