Tourism resource consumption increased sharply in 2024 as the industry continued its post-pandemic rebound, driving significant rises in water use, energy demand, and carbon emissions, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Foreign tourist arrivals last year rose 9.2 percent to 5.95 million.
Total water use linked to tourism activities reached 222.32 million cubic meters, an 8.7 percent increase from 204.56 million cubic meters in 2023.
Accommodation services accounted for the largest share at 95.11 million cubic meters, or 43 percent of the total.
Energy use from tourism also surged. Combined electricity and fuel consumption climbed to 7,487.95 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (KTOE) in 2024, up 21 percent from the previous year.
Among tourism-related services, transport posted the highest energy consumption at 2,948.21 KTOE, making up 39 percent of the total.
The rise in energy use resulted in a sharp increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Emissions from electricity and fuel use in tourism totaled 10,123.62 gigagrams (Gg) of CO2 in 2024, 25 percent higher than the 8,084.38 Gg recorded in 2023. Transport was again the largest contributor, responsible for 7,015.23 Gg CO2, or 69 percent of the total.
The PSA began monitoring the environmental impact of tourism in 2021 to support data-driven planning and long-term sustainability. The findings are intended to guide policy decisions that balance economic gains with environmental protection.
