UMABOT sa mahigit P280 billion ang tinatayang visitor receipts ng Pilipinas sa first half ng 2024, ayon sa Department of Tourism (DOT).
Base sa latest statistical monitoring report ng DOT, ang kinita ng turismo mula sa inbound visitors ay nasa P282.17 billion mula Enero 1 hanggang Hunyo 30, 2024.
Mas mataas ito ng 32.81 percent sa P212.47 billion revenue sa kaparehong panahon noong nakaraang taon.
Sa isang statement, sinabi ni Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco na ito ay isang testamento sa walang humpay na pagsisikap ng administrasyong Marcos sa pagpapalakas sa sektor ng turismo.
“This 32.81 percent rise from last year’s figures not only showcases the growing appeal of the Philippines as a premier travel destination but also underscores the tangible benefits that tourism brings to our economy and our people,” sabi ni Frasco.
“The income generated through tourism directly translates to more opportunities and improved livelihoods for Filipinos, reinforcing the critical role this industry plays in our nation’s progress.”
Hanggang Hulyo 10, ang bansa ay nakapagtala ng 3,173,694 inbound tourists, kung saan 92.55 percent o 2,937,293 ay foreigners, habang ang nalalabing 7.45 percent o 236,401 ay overseas Filipinos.
Ang South Korea ay nanatiling top source ng foreign arrivals ng bansa na may 824,798 o 25.99 percent ng kabuuang bilang ng mga bisita na pumasok sa bansa.
Pumangalawa ang United States na may 522,667 (16.47 percent), sumunod ang China na may199,939 (6.30 percent), Japan na may 188,805 (5.95 percent), at Australia na may 137,391 (4.33 percent).
Ang Taiwan, Canada, United Kingdom, at neighboring Southeast Asian nations, Singapore at Malaysia, ang sixth hanggang tenth source markets, ayon sa pagkakasunod-sunod..
“In the second half of the year, we anticipate these numbers to increase, not only the revenue generated but most importantly, the number of Filipinos employed in tourism-related industries,” ani Frasco.
“Many projects aimed at improving the country’s connectivity and enhancing our visitors’ convenience are also in the pipeline to sustain the good work we have started.”
Inaasahan ding mahihigitan ng employment sa turismo ang 9.5 million jobs, na katumbas ng 20 percent ng national workforce.
Ulat mula sa PNA