Foreign tourists hit 1.82M, exceeding 2022 target - DOT

More than 1.8 million foreigners have visited the Philippines so far this year, exceeding government estimates, according to the Department of Tourism.

At a Palace press briefing, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said tourist arrivals totaled 1,827,603 as of Tuesday, October 25.

"Notably, this exceeds the previous projections of the Department of Tourism before June 30, which pegged international arrivals only at 1.7 million by December 2022," Frasco said. 

The Philippines opened its doors to foreign visitors in February in an attempt to revitalize its tourism sector, which had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the tourism industry is among the country's high potential drivers for economic transformation. 

Speaking at the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception, Marcos said the government has to do everything "to make sure that this asset that the Philippines has must be used to bring jobs to people, to bring visitors to our country." — VBL, GMA News