The country’s tourism receipts, or the spending made by tourists while in the country, reached P712 billion as of mid-December, still far from the P3.36 trillion recorded last year.

Foreign tourist arrivals also fell short of the 7.7 million target for 2024.

In a speech during the Department of Tourism’s 2024 Year-end Media Briefing on Tuesday, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco reported that tourism receipts, recorded as of 15 December, 2024, represent a 119 percent recovery rate from the country’s pre-pandemic 2019 figures.

“Philippine tourism has already earned an estimated P712 billion in revenue from 1 January to 15 December, 2024, representing a 119 percent recovery rate from our 2019 numbers,” she said.

Last year, tourism receipts stood at P3.36 trillion.

“Focus on the numbers that matter: visitor receipts, tourism spending, length of stay, tourism employment, for these are what drive our economy and employ our people, and in all of these numbers, the Philippines is doing exceptionally well,” she stressed.

Foreign arrivals

In terms of foreign tourist arrivals, Frasco reported that the country welcomed 5,646,351 international visitors as of 15 December, still far from the 7.7 million target.

South Korea remains the country’s leading source market, followed by the United States, Japan, China, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia, according to Frasco.

Employment growth

On the other hand, Frasco highlighted the continued growth of employment in the tourism industry. Citing the April 2024 Labor Force Survey, she reported that 16.4 million Filipinos, representing 34 percent of total employment in the first quarter, benefitted directly or indirectly from tourism.

“These figures highlight the pivotal role of tourism in generating livelihoods and uplifting communities nationwide and certainly show the impact of Philippine tourism in terms of job generation,” she said.

Based on the same survey, CALABARZON leads with the most number of employed in the tourism sector, followed closely by NCR, Region III, and Region VII, showcasing the sector’s extensive reach.

“These figures emphasize the vital role tourism plays as a key driver of livelihood and economic growth, from bustling metropolitan areas to thriving regional hubs. As we continue to strengthen the country’s tourism industry, the DOT is committed to creating even more opportunities for Filipinos in the years to come. By diversifying our tourism offerings and promoting both established and emerging destinations, we aim to ensure that every region reaps the benefits of a robust and inclusive tourism economy,” Frasco said.