Facilitating tourism recovery through investments

TOURISM is making a strong rebound after years of setbacks caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with both local and international visitors fueling the recovery.

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According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, tourism directly contributed 8.9% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2024. The Tourism Direct Gross Value Added, which measures the sector’s share in the economy, reached P2.35 trillion. This number was an 11.2% increase compared to 2023.

Filipino travelers also spent more when going abroad, with outbound tourism expenditure reaching P345.68 billion, higher by 37.5% than the previous year. Domestic and inbound spending combined amounted to P3.86 trillion, showing growth of 13.1%.

The Department of Tourism (DoT) reported that revenue from foreign travelers exceeded P760 billion in 2024. This figure was a 9% increase from 2023 and more than double the level recorded in 2019, before the pandemic disrupted travel.

Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina G. Frasco said international visitors spent more than $2,000 per person on average, which placed the Philippines among the top in Southeast Asia.

“The international visitor receipts show that our recovery in tourism performance has already gone beyond our pre-pandemic numbers,” Ms. Frasco said in a televised briefing.

POST-PANDEMIC RESILIENCE

Data from the World Travel and Tourism Council shows that the Philippines ranks first in Southeast Asia in domestic tourism spending, with more than $66 billion generated by local travel.

Filipino travelers are also showing new habits that go beyond traditional three-day trips. The Philippine Travel Agencies Association report a growing demand for longer stays, where visitors spend extra days exploring at a slower pace.

Jaslyne Vanessa C. Estrada, co-founder of MaxJourney Travel Agency, said Filipino tourists are eager to try experiences outside the usual beach trips. In fact, many visitors now visit cultural towns and heritage villages.