Tourist arrivals in the Philippines reached 4.03 million in the first eight months of 2024, a 10 percent growth from the same period last year. South Korean visitors accounted for a significant portion of this influx, making up 26 percent of total arrivals.
According to data from the Department of Tourism, August alone saw 472,482 visitors. This represents a decline from July’s 525,466 but an increase from 437,648 arrivals recorded in August 2023.
The foreign arrivals are comprised of foreign tourists and Filipinos living or working overseas, who account for 8 percent of the visitor count.
South Korean tourists led the charge with a 13 percent increase in arrivals, bringing the total to 1.08 million for the January-August period.
The United States followed as the second-largest source of visitors, contributing 16 percent of the total with 637,592 arrivals. This was a modest 0.8 percent rise compared to the previous year.
Significant growth was also observed from Japan and China.
Japanese visitors surged 34 percent to 260,773, while Chinese tourists increased 38 percent to 241,041. They collectively account for 6.5 percent and 6.0 percent of the total visitor numbers, respectively.
Despite the overall positive trend, some key markets posted declines. Visitors from Australia, Canada, and Malaysia saw reductions, while Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Singapore showed promising growth.
With just four months remaining in 2024, the DOT faces a challenging target of 7.7 million total visitor arrivals for the year, representing a 41 percent increase from 5.45 million in 2023.
To meet this goal, the Philippines needs to attract over 900,000 arrivals each month. For context, the country saw 1.79 million foreign arrivals between September and December last year.
The growth in tourist numbers underscores the Philippines’ growing appeal as a travel destination, buoyed by strong performances from key markets and a steady recovery in international travel.
The DOT continues to work towards achieving its targets, leveraging the increasing interest from a diverse range of countries.
