PHL records 6.8M int'l visitors from Jan.-Oct. 2019 —DOT

Over 6.8 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines during the first 10 months of the year, translating to a 15% increase, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

According to the monthly report released by the DOT on Monday, the country recorded a total of 6,800,052 visitors from January to October, equivalent to a 15.04% increase from the 5,911,161 arrivals for the same period last year.

"October visitor arrivals also revealed an affirmative year-on-year arrival growth for eight of the top ten source markets," the DOT said.

South Korea still tops the list with a total of 1,609,172 arrivals (+21.75%). The DOT said this is expected to further improve following the signing of the tourism cooperation program between the Philippines and Korea.

China came in second with 1,499,524 (+41.13%) followed by the United States of America (USA) at third place with 872,335 (+2.53%) for the 10-month period.

Japan remained fourth in the list with 569,625 (+7.43%), followed by Taiwan, with a record of 282,220 (+36.77%) completing the top five markets.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat attributed the increase to the improved air connectivity, intensified marketing promotions including the refreshed "It's More Fun in the Philippines" campaign, budding relations with other countries, as well as the growing recognition of the country's sustainable tourism advocacy.

According to the DOT, tourist arrivals via air for October comprised 98.77% for 630,666 visitors.  Manila, through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, served as the main gateway welcoming 396,446 tourists.

Cebu, which was recently included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Network of Creative Cities, followed suit with 131,217 arrivals. 

Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 also recently earned the top prize in the Completed Buildings-Transport Category at the recently-concluded World Architecture Festival.

Air arrivals from Kalibo totaled 59,467, Clark with 35,236 while the rest of the airports yielded 8,300 arrivals. —KBK, GMA News