The Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday tourism revenue hit a record P760.5 billion in 2024, up by 9.04 percent from P697.46 billion in 2023.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco lauded the sector’s resilience and its crucial role in economic growth, emphasizing its impact on job creation and livelihoods, especially in rural areas.
“The Philippine tourism industry has not only bounced back but has evolved and expanded. This growth translates to opportunities for thousands of Filipinos, fostering economic stability and inclusivity,” she said.
She said the record revenue was also about 26.75 percent higher than the pre-pandemic level of P600.01 billion in 2019, tantamount to a recovery rate of 126.75 percent.
Meanwhile, international visitor arrivals hit 5,949,350 international in 2024, up by 9.15 percent from 5,450,557 in 2023. Of these, 91.42 percent or about 5.43 million were foreign nationals, while the rest were overseas Filipinos.
South Korea remained the top source market, contributing 1.57 million visitors, sharing 26 percent to the total.
The US followed with 947,891 visitors, while Japan recorded an impressive 27-percent growth, reaching 388,316 arrivals.
Other significant contributors included Australia with 272,215; Canada with 223,944; and China, which, despite challenges, saw a modest recovery with 312,222 arrivals.
Emerging markets like Taiwan with 208,736 tourists and Singapore’s 157,264 also showed strong growth.
Frasco attributed the sector’s success to the Marcos administration’s pro-tourism policies, which focus on sustainable development, infrastructure enhancement and workforce training.
Citing data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Frasco noted that international tourists spend reached $2,073 per capita and stayed an average of 11 nights, compared to 9 nights in 2019.
About 70 percent of visitors are repeat tourists, underscoring the Philippines’ appeal as a top travel destination.
