Tourist arrivals in the Philippines during the first two months of 2026 rose 3.1 percent to 1.329 million, compared to 1.298 million in the same period last year, the Department of Tourism reported.
The modest increase reflects sustained demand for travel, even as seasonal factors contributed to a decline in February. Arrivals that month fell 9 percent to 633,059 from January’s 696,273, largely due to the shorter number of days.
Despite the dip, combined figures for January and February remain above last year’s levels.
International visitors were the main growth driver, totaling 1.246 million in the two-month period, up 3.4 percent from 1.205 million in 2025.
Meanwhile, arrivals of overseas Filipinos slipped 1.4 percent to 83,319 from 84,508.
South Korea remained the Philippines’ top source market, contributing 293,347 visitors, though this marked an 8.15 percent decline from 319,375 arrivals in the same period last year.
Other key markets included the US with 276,394 visitors, Japan with 85,694, Canada with 79,943, and Australia with 71,932. Together, these five countries accounted for more than 60 percent of total arrivals.
Tourism officials noted that the figures reflect both resilience and evolving trends in the sector. While seasonal dips and market shifts present challenges, steady international demand continues to support overall growth. The data also underscores the importance of diversifying source markets to maintain stability amid fluctuations in specific countries.
As the tourism industry adapts to changing global travel patterns, stakeholders are expected to continue efforts to attract visitors while addressing operational and seasonal constraints, ensuring the sector remains a key driver of economic recovery and growth.
