Renewed optimism for travel, coupled with the rise of experiential and DIY trips, could push outbound Filipino tourism bookings beyond the industry’s target of 6.81 million in 2024, according to the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA).
Foot traffic at the opening day of the 31st Travel Tour Expo (TTE) 2024 was three to four times higher than in the previous physical expo, PTAA said.
“This is even way, way bigger than the revenge travel during the tail-end of the pandemic,” said Cris Aquino, head of the TTE program committee. “People are incredibly excited to experience travel in a new perspective.”
Travel professionals and experts observed a surge in purchases of travel-related goods and services in the past six months, spanning all ages and income groups, PTAA said.
PTAA president Evangeline Tankiang-Manotok said the trend is welcome news for Filipinos eager to explore the world again after being restricted for nearly three years due to COVID-19.
“The enthusiasm for travel and to see different places once again is making for a buoyant travel industry, and we at PTAA are very much ready to cater to the demand,” she said.
“We are pooling together our expertise under one roof to provide Filipino travelers with the best advice and make them realize that there are so many options for them. PTAA’s collective wisdom and many years of experience make this possible,” Manotok said.
TTE 2024 serves as a marketplace for travel deals, featuring over 200 exhibitors with 702 booths, including airlines, domestic and international travel agencies, tour operators, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, shipping companies, and more.
“We see about 20 percent to 25 percent growth because the interest in travel is unprecedented. We are very much ready for the influx of demand,” said TTE 2024 chairperson Patricia Chiong.
More than 5.4 million international tourists arrived in the Philippines in 2023, government data showed, indicating a strong recovery towards pre-pandemic levels of 8.26 million in 2019.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed optimism that the industry would exceed targets for both international and domestic arrivals and tourism receipts.
Government data showed over 5.4 million international tourists arrived in the Philippines in 2023, a strong signal that the country’ travel industry is rebounding close to pre-pandemic levels of 8.26 million in 2019.