Tourism is picking up the pace of its recovery rate to 67 percent to date, boosting government’s confidence to reach the pre- pandemic level of 8 million in 2025.
Mae Elaine Bathan, undersecretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), said at the Post-SONA Economic Briefing yesterday, the tourist arrivals of 3.4 million as of August 13 represent a 70-percent accomplishment rate of the 4.8 million target arrivals for the year.
“The recovery rate, as compared to last year has never been more promising. In 2022, gauging from the 2019 levels, we had a recovery rate of 35 percent from February to December. Our recovery rate from January to July of this year, when compared to how we perform in 2019 is already at 66 or about 67 percent. These numbers will continue to grow as we have several projects and programs in our pipeline,” said Bathan.
These projects include connectivity through roads and airports as well as tourist areas.
In 2022, arrivals reached 2.6 million breaching the 1.7- million target for the year.
“ With the rollout of our National Tourism Development Plan, which will serve as a guide under the seven key objectives of the department under the three key strategies of connectivity, equality and convenience in our travel, we are optimistic that we will continue to increase our numbers,” Bathan said.
Bathan announced government’s plans to renovate and improve Laoag Airport which along with the Cagayan Airport are being pushed to resume pre-pandemic routes to further diversify connection to the north of the Philippines aside from Clark.
The DOT has partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways for the P5-billion worth of Tourism Road Infrastructure Program projects.
It has also been working with the Department of Transportation to further improve gateway access. Irma Isip
