RP nears 3.1-M visitors mark

It will be another monumental year for the Philippine tourism industry and Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano is most optimistic about this.

"With the way things are going, we are right on track on our target of 3.1 million tourist arrivals by year-end," Durano said. "This will be the first time that we will be accommodating more than three million tourists."

Latest figures released by the Department of Tourism (DoT) show that arrivals for the first half of the year already reached 1,528,507 or a growth of 7.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Visitor receipts also reflect a steady climb due to prolonged stay of tourists with the DoT targetting .9 billion in tourist expenditures for 2007.

UNPRECEDENTED

Since the start of the year, the Philippines has been registering unprecedented arrivals of more than 200,000, with the highest in January with a volume of 272,525, while the month of March recorded the highest growth of 15.1 percent.

Durano attributes the growth to the DoT’s intensive marketing campaign, invitational programs and participation of the country in the various travel fairs.

"Our highly focused, creative and innovative marketing efforts in core and emerging markets are paying off. We have successfully accelerated demand by investing more in the core markets like China, Japan, Korea and North America for both quick returns and long term growth. We now have an increasing support in strategic and momentum markets such as Russia, Germany, Australia and India. While reinvigorating and maintaining heightened presence in turn-around and investment markets such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore," he said.

The East Asian region maintained its position as the largest contributor of arrivals by region, accounting for 45.3 percent of the overall traffic base. It posted an increase of 6.5 percent, from 650,163 last year, to 693,334 arrivals this year.

The combined arrivals of 358,442 supplied by the North American countries made this region the second biggest supplier, growing by 2.8 percent.

The ASEAN region shared 7.3 percent or 112,116 arrivals, ranking third in visitor contribution, while Australasia/Pacific provided 77,057 arrivals to constitute the fourth biggest arrivals by region, registering a 6.8 percent increase. Visitors from Western Europe increased by 9.1 percent as arrivals reached 62,957 as compared to 57,696 last year.

NEW CHALLENGE

According to Durano, the challenge now is how to service the demand.

"With the momentum being sustained until 2009, as we are slated to host numerous international high–profile conventions and conferences in the next two years, including the UN Tourism Conference for Parliamentarians in 2009, we are trying to accelerate the completion of infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of hotels, resorts and airports, and the expansion of airlines, that is, the paradise to paradise air services."

To date, more than R100 billion worth of investments have been pouring in from both the local private investors and international businesses from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US. The DoT is expecting 3,000 new rooms in the next two years including a 6-star resort at the Elephant Island in Marinduque.

While the hospitality sector is increasing capacity in accommodations as well as upgrading facilities, the transport sector is working on expanding flights, opening new routes and increasing seat capacities to improve access within the islands and provide affordable transportation.

Recently completed projects include the New Bacolod Airport in Negros Occidental, Iloilo Airport, Jagna Port in Bohol, Maasin Port in Southern Leyte and the Southern Leyte Ferry Terminal.

The country continues to reap accolades as a world class destination. The Philippines was recently named one of the "Top 10 New Rising Destinations" and "Top 10 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) Destinations" by the China Tourism News. On the other hand, El Nido in Palawan was adjudged winner in the Japanese television show called "World’s 100 Magnificent Views."

Over the past three years, visitor arrivals to the country expanded at an average of 14 percent per annum, greater than the growth rates registered by ASEAN countries and surpassing the projected seven percent increase of tourist traffic in the Asia Pacific region by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The UNWTO opined that the Philippines will continue to reap substantial gains as the number of international travelers to Asia Pacific increases.