The Philippines weighs in on its tourism sector

Philippine tourism is currently driven by 80 percent domestic tourism and 20 percent foreign tourism

John Paolo R. Rivera, who is the associate director at the Asian Institute of Management’s Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism, said that Philippine tourism is currently driven by 80 percent domestic tourism and 20 percent foreign tourism.

Since the Philippines relies heavily on domestic tourism, he added that the country should boost its infrastructure, product offerings, and safety measures for it to thrive, reported BusinessWorld.

Philstar.com recently reported that the country is an attractive destination among international travelers since it eased travel restrictions earlier this year. 

A study revealed that searches made by international guests for Airbnb stays in the country in Q1 2022 expanded by more than 140 percent from the same period last year.

Manila, Cebu, and Quezon City emerged as the top three destinations among local and foreign travelers, according to Airbnb, as remote work creates more opportunities for hosts.

“It is heartening to see that Airbnb guests from around the world are looking to revisit the Philippines – as well as explore it for the first time – which bodes well for the sector’s ongoing recovery and for our local community of hosts,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s general manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Boracay Island, Palawan, and Cebu, on the other hand, have been named among the world’s best islands, according to the Philippines News Agency.

More: The Philippines to fully reopen its borders to all foreign tourists on 1 April

Analysts surveyed by The Manila Times noted that GDP in Q2 2022 expanded eight percent on the back of public and private consumption. 

In the three months ending in June 2022, the factors that contributed to domestic output growth include the resumption of foreign tourism, continued domestic tourism, and the easing of restrictions when it came to the partial resumption of face-to-face classes. 

Fully vaccinated visitors are granted visa-free entry into the Philippines since 10 February while fully vaccinated Filipinos have been allowed entry since 1 February. Quarantine upon arrival is no longer required.

The direct gross value added by the tourism sector increased from 5.1 percent of GDP in 2020 to 5.2 percent of GDP in 2021.

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