Philippines Experiences Increase in Tourism

Philippines experiences increase in tourism
Lisa Buckner

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A report by the Filipino Department of Tourism announced last week that the number of foreign tourists to the country in 2014 experienced a 5% increase compared to 2013 levels.

In response to the ASEAN Tourism forum held in January in Bangkok, the Philippines has continued to devote funding to its tourism industry in order to recoup from Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the archipelago in 2013.

The Department of Tourism has named 2015 the ‘Visit Philippines Year,’ aiming for 5 million foreign visitors in 2015 alone.

A number of other ASEAN countries have seen similar increases in tourism, particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

Tourism agencies from all four countries note the continuous increase in Chinese and South Korean tourists, overtaking an industry that has traditionally catered toward Japanese, Taiwanese, and Australian visitors.

The Department of Tourism reports that the recent increase in Chinese tourists has largely fueled the industry, contributing as much as 60% of the profits from tourist-related activities in the Philippines.