## Philippines Tourism Booming: 9.7 Million Tourists Projected by 2028
The Philippines is experiencing a significant revival in its tourism sector, with projections pointing towards a robust future. BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, forecasts that the country will welcome a staggering 9.7 million tourists by 2028, fueled by an impressive annual growth rate of 14.8%. This optimistic outlook signifies a strong rebound from the pandemic’s impact on the industry.
Recent data from the Department of Tourism (DoT) paints a promising picture. Tourist arrivals surged by 10% during the first ten months of this year, reaching 4.5 million compared to 4.1 million in the same period last year. While this represents a positive trend, it still falls short of the pre-pandemic levels, reaching only 66.5% of the visitor numbers recorded in 2019.
BMI anticipates a remarkable 19.5% increase in tourist arrivals this year, pushing the total to six million. However, even with this projected growth, the number will remain at 73% of the 8.2 million visitors recorded in 2019. The DoT has set a more ambitious target, aiming for 7.7 million tourist arrivals in 2024.
Opening Doors to Key Markets: China and India
The Tourism Congress of the Philippines President emphasizes the crucial importance of expanding access to Chinese and Indian tourists as a key driver of the country’s tourism recovery. Attracting travelers from these major outbound markets holds the potential to significantly accelerate the industry’s rebound, injecting a much-needed boost to the Philippine economy.
In 2019, China was the Philippines’ second-largest source of international visitors, contributing 1.74 million out of a total of 8.26 million tourist arrivals. However, the Philippines has missed out on the surge of Chinese tourists returning to Southeast Asia, unlike neighboring countries like Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, which offer visa-free access to Chinese visitors. Thailand, for example, aims to welcome 36.7 million international tourists this year, with nearly six million expected from China alone.
Challenges and Opportunities
The Philippines’ stricter visa requirements for Chinese travelers, implemented due to rising tensions over disputed areas in the South China Sea, have hindered the influx of Chinese tourists. Additionally, airlines have reduced direct flights to China due to lower demand. Furthermore, infrastructure constraints in major tourist destinations, as highlighted by Senior Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, pose another obstacle to the country’s tourism growth.
Despite these challenges, the Philippines remains optimistic about its tourism prospects. By focusing on strategic initiatives, including easing visa restrictions for key markets, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting its diverse attractions, the country aims to attract a larger share of the global tourism market and achieve its ambitious target of 9.7 million tourists by 2028.
