Tourist volume rises slightly in January-May
Visitors to the country’s key tourist destinations rose 5.37% to 3.65 million in the five months to May from the same period in 2009, the Department of Tourism said in a press release yesterday.
Foreign tourists increased 12.81%, while domestic tourists grew by a slower 2.12%.
Metro Manila was the leading destination, accounting for 23.3% of the total with 848,518 tourists staying in accommodation facilities. That volume was up 17% year on year.
The East Asian market, composed of China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, was the metropolis’ major source of tourists, accounting for 41.78% of total visitors.
Local residents from other regions visiting Metro Manila for tourism-related purposes and staying in hotels and similar facilities made up 35.4%.
Tourist count in Cebu grew 4.34% to 734,531 visitors, accounting for a fifth of the total for that period.
South Korea and Japan were the leading source markets for Cebu, accounting for 30% and 21%, respectively, of total foreign visitors to that province.
Tourists visiting Boracay Island rose 12.15%, with foreign visitors growing 26% against 6% for local tourists.
Seven destinations in the Central Philippines Super Region (Boracay, Bohol, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Puerto Princesa), as well as Metro Manila and Tagaytay City, recorded a total of 2,343 tourist accommodation facilities that provided 65,052 rooms.
The select destinations in the Central Philippines Super Region accounted for 60% of total rooms, while Metro Manila and Tagaytay City accounted for 37% and 3%, respectively.
