Singaporean arrivals in RP up by 30.6%

Singapore emerged as the Philippines’ third fastest-growing inbound tourism market in 2002, according to the Tourism Research and Statistics Office of the Department of Tourism (DoT). Only China and Korea surpassed the Lion City, holding the first and second spots respectively.

Last year, tourist traffic from Singapore increased by 30.6 percent, bringing in 57,662 visitors from 44,155 guests in 2001. In the first five months alone, the country received more than half the Singapore arrivals in the country for 2002.

DoT’s departmental initiatives and aggressive advocacy campaign under the WOW Philippines banner are credited for increased tourist traffic from Singapore and other Asian neighbors. Total tourism arrivals indicate a 20.5 percent overall growth in visitor arrivals in 2002 versus a 0.8 growth in 2001.