THIS year’s increase in tourism arrivals continued through February, breaking the month’s records of visitor arrivals since 2013, according to official figures released by the Department of Tourism on Wednesday.
A total 579,178 visitors were recorded in February, an increase of 27.81 percent over the past four years and 5.36 percent higher than the same period last year, disclosed Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.
Visitors from South Korea topped all other markets in February, reaching 150,598, representing 26 percent share of total inbound traffic in the Philippines and a 9.51 percent increase in Korean arrivals from the same period last year.
“We have maintained and even increased figures from South Korea and we expect to see further growth, as Korean tourists perceive our country as a distinctive global destination built on unique experiences and rich natural beauty,” said Teo.
Completing the top five markets for the period are United States with 137,598 (23.76 percent); China with 78,251 (13.51percent ); Japan with 53,957 (9.32 percent); Taiwan with 20,472 (3.53 percent), respectively.
As a result of stepped-up promotion efforts, other markets also showed an increase in February, as Australian arrivals rose by 9.32 percent (20,157), Canada arrivals by 21.39 percent (19,016), and United Kingdom by 15.65 percent (15,226).
Among the top 12 markets, Germany registered the highest per capita expenditure for February 2017. On average, a German visitor spent P60,260.45 while in the country.
The United Kingdom followed with per capita spending of P 47,533.15, tailed by Canada with P43,761.75, then Korea with P 38,714.46, and France with P37,354.40.