Sunday, February 3, 2013

...the tourists arrival record high

Editorial


Philippines Reaches Tourist Arrivals Milestone


 
Manila Bulletin
February 2, 2013
 

The Philippines reached a milestone in tourist arrivals in 2012, posting a total of 4,272,811 foreign visitors, the first time in the country’s tourism history, to surpass the four-million mark. The country achieved 93.8% of its 4,556,582 visitor arrival goal for 2012.




All major tourism markets registered growths. South Korea, the first source market to contribute one million visitors, registered an all-time high of 1,031,454 visitors or 24.13% of the total visitor volume to the Philippines. The Philippines welcomed its one millionth Korean visitor, and businessmen on December 27, 2012.

The United States of America was second with 625,626 visitors, and Japan was third with 412,474 visitors. Other countries with significant volume of arrivals were China, 250,883; Taiwan, 216,511; Australia, 191,150; Singapore, 148,215; Canada, 123,699; Hong Kong, 118,666; Malaysia, 114,513; United Kingdom, 113,282; and Germany, 67,023. Overseas Filipinos supplied 215,943 arrivals.

Three significant source markets surpassed their respective target arrivals for 2012. Japan’s visitor arrival output of 412,474 is 3.86% higher than the target of 397,141. Taiwan had 216,511 arrivals, up by 10.46%. Russia, an emerging market, has 23,149 arrivals, up by 22.12%

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said that crossing the four-million market puts the country well on track to achieve its goal of 10 million visitors by 2016. The DOT launched the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign in January, 2012. It recently unveiled international TV spots, “Lovers” and “Sleepless Nights,” which are spinoffs of the brand campaign. More foreign tourists are expected this year, after the Philippines made it to the lists of best and top destinations by international travel and online magazines.

We congratulate the Department of Tourism, led by Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr., Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Daniel G. Corpuz, and other Officers, on their concerted efforts to showcase the Philippines before the international community. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

No comments:

Post a Comment