International visitor arrivals topped 8.26 million in 2019, 15.24 percent higher than 2018’s yearend figure of 7.16 million and exceedingslightly the 8.2 million annual target set in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) for 2016-2022.
The DOT said in a statement all months, except January, registered double digit growth rates, the largest of which was August at 27.54 percent.
The DOT added December recorded the highest volume at 776,798.
Korea remains the top source market for the 10th straight year with a total of 1.98 million arrivals, r a 22.48 percent increase.
China follows closely at second with 1.74 million, but a more robust 38.58 percent growth.
The United States on third, yielded 1.06 million visitors for a 2.90 percent increase.
Japan is fourth at 682,788 arrivals, with an 8.07 percent growth followed by Taiwan reporting an equally impressive double-digit increase of 35.01 percent for its 327,273 arrivals.
Rounding up the top 12 visitor markets with their volumes and respective growth rates are: Australia with 286,170 (2.27 percent), Canada with 238,850 ((5.48 percent), the United Kingdom with 209,206 (4.06 percent), Singapore with 158,595 arrivals (-7.68 percent), Malaysia with 139,882 (-3.69 percent), India with 134,963 (11.43 percent) and Germany with 103,756 (12.66 percent).
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat attributed the increase to the convergence programs with other government agencies, particularly in improving access as well as product development and marketing initiatives with local government and private sector.
The DOT launched last year its refreshed branding campaign; continuing the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan but repurposing it to advocate for sustainable tourism as well as “Save Our Spots” movement.
