The Philippines recorded over 8 million foreign tourist arrivals on Friday, surpassing the 2018 numbers with the arrival of a Japanese couple in Manila.
The record number of tourists was reached on December 27, 2019, when the Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed its 8-millionth and 8-millionth-and-1 tourists, Yachiyo Imamoto and her husband Tamio from Yokohama, Japan.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat lauded the new record numbers, saying, “Breaching the eight million mark is another milestone to celebrate, as it marks the unprecedented growth of the country’s tourism industry.”
Secretary Puyat also said the breaching of the country’s historic eight-millionth mark for foreign tourist arrivals can be credited to the refreshed It’s More Fun in the Philippines branding campaign, re-opening of Boracay, sustainable tourism advocacy efforts, improved air connectivity, hosting of big-ticket tourism events, intensified digital and online marketing, mainstreaming of different tourism product portfolios including culinary tourism and farm tourism, healthy private-public partnerships, international accolades, and recognitions.
The DOT had set an 8.2 million target for foreign tourist arrivals for this year. Last year, the country recorded a total of 7.1 million tourist arrivals.
The tourism agency said the detailed report of visitor arrivals for 2019 will be released early January next year.
Bureau of Immigration Ports Division Acting Chief Grifton Medina says he is still positive and confident that the country could still reach its 8.2 millionth target for foreign tourist arrivals within the last few days of 2019.
SEND congratulations to the country’s tourism sector for reaching a milestone this year!
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