A total of 579,178 visitors were recorded in February, an increase of 27.81 percent over the past four years and 5.36% higher than the same period last year, disclosed DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo.
Visitors from South Korea topped all other markets in February, reaching 150,598, representing 26 percent share of total inbound traffic in the Philippines and a 9.51 percent increase in Korean arrivals from the same period last year.
"We have maintained and even increased figures from South Korea and we expect to see further growth, as Korean tourists perceive our country as a distinctive global destination built on unique experiences and rich natural beauty,” said Teo.
Completing the top five markets for the period are United States with 137,598 (23.76%); China with 78,251 (13.51%); Japan with 53,957 (9.32 %); Taiwan with 20,472 (3.53 %), respectively.
As a result of stepped-up promotion efforts, other markets also showed an increase in February, as Australian arrivals rose by 9.32 percent (20,157), Canada arrivals by 21.39 percent (19,016), and United Kingdom by 15.65 percent (15,226).
Among the top 12 markets, Germany registered the highest per capital expenditure for February 2017. On average, a German visitor spent Php 60,260.45 while in the country.
The United Kingdom followed with per capita spending of Php 47,533.15, tailed by Canada with Php 43,761. 75, then Korea with Php 38,714.46, and France with Php 37,354.40.
Also on a positive note, the Philippines has welcomed a total of 8,176 cruise passengers through various ports in the country.
Manila remained the country's top cruise destination with recorded arrivals of 2,785 passengers, followed by Boracay with 1,145, Bohol with 692 passengers, and Pangasinan with 640 passengers.
"These numbers show that cruise tourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the Philippine tourism. This certainly gives us a positive outlook for the country’s cruise tourism market for this year,” said Teo.
Combined positive results in January and February figures will have represented the 17.30 percent of the tourism sector’s target of seven million arrivals in 2017.
