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PHL visitor arrivals reach 2M; tourism revenue hit 100B – DOT Chief

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday (Nov. 15) reported that visitor arrivals to the Philippines have reached the 2-million mark and accounted for more than Php 100 billion in estimated visitor receipts since the country’s relaxation of border restrictions to foreign tourists last February 10, 2022.

“Our latest figures have reached well beyond the 1.7 Million tourist projections of the DOT. This goes to show that there is such a huge demand for travel into our beautiful country and that the Marcos administration’s prioritization of tourism is placing our country on the right track to recovery. We therefore must meet this with the continued implementation of enabling mechanisms that will convey not only the country’s openness to welcome more tourists but also conduciveness to tourism business and livelihood opportunities for our fellow Filipinos,” Secretary Frasco said.

The DOT’s report as of November 14, 2022, showed a total of 2,025,421 visitor arrivals to the Philippines. Of this number, the majority or 1,487,343 (73.43%) are foreign tourists, while 538,078 or 26.57 percent are overseas Filipinos.

Meanwhile, according to the DOT’s statistics office, visitor arrivals from February to September 2022 raked in an estimated Php 100. 7 billion, recording a 1938.14 percent increase from the Php 4.94 billion for the same period last year.

In terms of number of foreign tourist arrivals count per country, the United States of America (USA) continue to hold the first place with 385,121 (19.01%). South Korea and Australia came in second and third, with 285,583 (14.10%) and 96,297 (4.75%), respectively.

Landing on the fourth and fifth spots are Canada with 89,248 (4.41%) and the United Kingdom with 77,267 (3.81%).

Other countries that made it to the top ten list of countries with the most tourist arrivals to the Philippines are Japan with 75,564 (3.73%), India with 41,292 (2.04%), Singapore with 39,801 (1.97%), Malaysia with 35,128 (1.73%), and Vietnam with 32,970 (1.63%).

Published:November 15, 2022

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DOT targets increased inoculation of tourism workers in more destinations

Puyat: More vaccines coming for Palawan tourism workers

Dot statement on nesthy petecio’s silver medal finish in the tokyo 2020 olympics, rizal park drive-thru vax site opens; puyat hails manila’s anti-covid initiative, dot gets highest coa rating for 2nd straight year, statement of the department of tourism on the passing of heritage and cultural tourism advocate mr. ramon hofileña, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the heightened community quarantine level implementations in ncr, more tourism workers in boracay to receive covid-19 jabs – dot, dot reiterates call for safe travel amid stricter quarantine measure, dot reminds hotels, resorts that room sharing for quarantined families is allowed, dot celebrates siargao inclusion in time magazine as one of the world’s greatest places of 2021, dot launches halal food tourism, dot backs gov’t infra program to boost tourism, dot backs iloilo bid for ‘creative city of gastronomy’ recognition from unesco, statement of the department of tourism on iatf decision allowing children five years old and above, and fully vaccinated seniors to visit outdoor areas, dot partners with viber to promote kain na foodfest, dot: 3,000 boracay tourism workers to receive covid vax, dot, tpb continues to support lgus with digital transformation projects, dot teams up with scarlet belo and cartoon network to take safe trips, dot statement on the activities of the taal volcano, bakuna by the sea: dot hails davao’s innovative approach to travel, hospitality workers, dot, tpb to roll out 2nd phase of rt-pcr financial subsidy program through pcmc, dot unveils region 1 tourism recovery plan, statement of the department of tourism on the drop of tourism contribution to gdp, dot to co-stage virtual fête de la musique june 18-21, more ncr tourism workers receive support through dot-dole program, travel for tourists of all ages from ncr plus to boracay, other mgcq areas extended to june 30, dot eyes inoculation of 5,000 bohol tourism workers, museums in ncr plus to reopen on limited capacity – dot, dot turns food tourism to high heat with 2021 kain na, terms for tourism business loans eased, dot bares tourism recovery plans for bulacan, dot and tiktok launch #sarapmagingpinoy campaign to promote local food tourism, dot launches five-year plan to develop tourism professionals, dot celebrates world environment month, highlights responsible marine wildlife interactions, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the rt-pcr requirement for leisure travelers under iatf-eid resolution 118a, statement of the dot on iatf-eid resolution 118a, more than 16k bulacan tourism workers get dot-dole cash aid, dot orders stricter monitoring of staycation hotels and aes in gcq areas following new iatf guidelines, dot lauds inclusion of frontline tourism workers in a1 priority group, dot hosts pata summit for first hybrid mice event in 2021, over 1,400 golf workers in metro manila get dot-dole cash aid.

Central Luzon to Showcase ‘Flavors of Pampanga’, readies tourists for gastronomic experience

Dot lauds ph hotels recognized with the 2021 tripadvisor awards, 3,390 tourism workers in marinduque approved to receive p16.95m dot-dole cash aid, puyat bares tourism recovery plans for marinduque, dot proposes ‘green lane’ for fully vaccinated travelers, dot hails expansion of priority vaccination to a4 cluster, including tourism frontliners, 5,986 staycation rooms open for guests from ncr plus, intramuros to open fort santiago, baluarte de san diego to visitors may 17, dot statement on the proposed vaccination center in nayong pilipino, dot welcomes iatf decision to ease travel in ncr plus, 221m cash aid approved for 44k tourism workers in western visayas, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the collected garbage from the waters of samal island, davao del norte, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the reported violations of a hotel in davao city, dot to host hybrid pata annual event for adventure travel, p1.5m cash aid approved for 295 intramuros tourism workers, updates on the vaccination of tourism workers, labor day vax for tourism workers, more than 400k displaced tourism workers get dot-dole cash aid, philippine tourism and mice industry to bounce back with the hosting of wttc global summit, dot, manila lgu ink mobile hospital deal, dot-accredited establishment staysafe.ph-users, eligible for safety seal certification, dot grants the wttc safe travels stamp to 33 more hotels nationwide, dot welcomes proposals to convert tourism sites to temporary medical facilities, dot lauds repurposed hotels, calls for ‘bayanihan’ vs covid, dot approves use of burnham green and quirino grandstand in rizal park for temporary mobile hospital and drive-thru vaccination site, dot celebrates saud beach inclusion in the 25 most beautiful beaches in the world list of travel and leisure, 67k displaced tourism workers of ncr+ receive dot-dole cash aid, statement of the department of tourism on the vaccination facility in nayong pilipino property, statement of the department of tourism regarding the alleged birthday “super spreader” event in boracay, dot eyes adoption of covid-19 digital travel pass, dot statement on ecq extension in ncr plus, phl, dot nominated at asia edition of 2021 world travel awards, dot pushes for inclusion of other tourism workers in priority group a4, strict new guidelines set for hotels under ecq; lenten ‘staycations’ within ncr plus suspended, dot statement on ecq for ncr+ areas, dot statement on holy week, rizal park and paco park adjust visiting hours, remain open for physical exercise, dot statement on biatf measures for boracay, tpb philippines spearheads tourism and technology forum (ttf), dot statement on coron tourist with falsified travel documents, dot supports rizal tourism circuit on food, faith, art, adventure and nature, the ‘fun’ continues: philippines joins digital itb berlin, dot to spur domestic tourism in rizal, dot’s stdp program to enhance resiliency of phl destinations – puyat, dot sustains online presence with ‘wake up in ph’ campaign and safety travel advisories, dot greenlights partial operations of hotel restaurants on june 15, dot eyes tourism recovery as more destinations may reopen, domestic travel to drive recovery of tourism industry, says survey, dot hails revival of tourist cops, tourism will recover well, dot chief vows, dot celebrates hidden beach, palawan’s inclusion in cnt’s best beaches in the world, tourism industry hikes share in gdp to 13%; puyat sees strong recovery from pandemic, dot pushes stringent guidelines for stakeholders across the nation, biatf denounces travelers’ breach of entry protocol to boracay, dot lauds partnership model for safe and sustainable tourism in boracay, dot issues guidelines on tourist land transport services, iatf–eid resolution reiterates ‘dot certificate of authority’ as requisite to operate, dot issues protocols on restaurant operations under the new normal, dot welcomes ph ‘rising stars in travel’ citation by forbes.com, dot, dti to roll out health and safety guidelines, digital solutions for restaurants, dot, attached agencies promote digital tourism, tourism chief reminds hotels, resorts: no dot certificate, no business operations during mgcq, dot assists 36,000 tourists during covid-19 crisis, dot webinar tackles digital as the new normal, dot welcomes the resumption of tourism operations in areas under mgcq, trust and health safety key to phl tourism recovery – dot chief, puyat on reopening tourism: ‘do it slowly but surely’, dot brings home 84 tourists stranded in eastern visayas, dot supports coron’s sustainable tourism development to bounce back, dot welcomes puerto princesa reopening to domestic tourists, dot urges for more wttc safe travels stamp applications, boracay’s white beach, el nido’s nacpan beach among tripadvisor’s top beaches in asia, dot statement on uniform travel protocols, dot supports the safe reopening of negros oriental, puyat affirms support for siquijor’s reopening, dot statement on el nido’s swift action against tourists with false covid test records, dot supports dilg’s streamlining of travel requirements, dot assists 98 stranded tourists in western mindanao, dot assists 246 tourists stranded in bicol, dot response team assists 1004 tourists stranded in caraga region, statement of tourism secretary bernadette romulo-puyat, dot8 springs stranded tourists, total assisted travelers now at 11,000, dot assists stranded tourists in central luzon, dot response teams assist over 10,000 travelers, dot announces the guidelines on hotels and other accommodation establishments during the enhanced community quarantine, dot chief: innovation to spur food tourism in new normal, dot webinar tackles heritage site conservation and use amid pandemic, dot banners “filipino brand of service”; assists over 35,000 tourists amid pandemic, dot to jumpstart domestic tourism under stricter protocols with iatf and lgus, dot partners with wttc to share experts’ tourism outlook, recovery plans, dot regulates hotel food deliveries, dot: tourism industry up to tough challenges on path to recovery, more than 155,000 tourism sector workers receive first tranche of dof wage subsidy program, dot mounts sweeper flights; brings home 1000 stranded domestic tourists, dot webinar tackles recovery, future of phl’s m.i.c.e., statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the iatf–eid authorization to mount sweeper flights, statement of secretary bernadette romulo puyat on the passing of former dot secretary ramon jimenez, jr., dot–ncr assists 24,000 in–transit nationals amid ecq of luzon, dot and ssi support philippine food producers in online philippine harvest, dot provides virtual backgrounds for video calls to encourage “travel from home”, dot offers online “enhanced opportunity” training for tourism stakeholders, dot-region 6 delivers filipino brand of service in crisis, dot outlines tourism response, post–covid 19 recovery plan to aid private sector, dot issues guidelines defining “new normal” for accommodation establishments, 24,836 hotel rooms reserved for ofws’ quarantine, bpo staff use – dot chief, stranded tourists welcome extended stay in batanes, dot welcomes lifting of travel ban for outbound passengers, recovery flights, tourism transport to continue for stranded passengers, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on covid-19 local transmission, dot statement on the curfew recommendation for lgus, dot, turkish airlines form partnership to increase philippine tourism from europe and mediterranean source markets, dot celebrates first run of the philippine international hot air balloon fiesta in calabarzon, puyat convenes tourism council; invites public to travel within ph, international visitor receipts hit usd 9.31b in 2019, 20.81% up from 2018, dot postpones nationwide mall sale to prioritize safety of citizens, department of tourism unveils new ad inspired by the abakada alphabet, highlighting unique filipino culture, puyat advocates for cultural and ecotourism in the new normal, relive the history of intramuros city with augmented reality app experience philippines, dot: 1st phl shopping fest kicks off march 1st, doh, dilg and dot give public gatherings green light, 2019 international arrivals exceed target with 8.26 million visitors to the philippines, dot welcomes lifting of taiwan travel ban, joint statement of the department of tourism and tourism congress of the philippines, dot backs “balik sa bohol” for tourism industry revival, intramuros reopens in the new normal, relaxed and standard health protocols, personalized trips key to tourism recovery, says latest philippine travel survey, dot files falsification raps against boracay tourists with forged covid test results, dot: reclassification of industries to hasten recovery, dot statement following the president’s latest directive to contain the ncov, guidelines in handling guests in tourism enterpises in the advent of ncov global health emergency, puyat eyes isabela as top agro-ecotourism destination, dot, dti inspect hotels and restaurants’ compliance with health and safety protocols, dot chief checks readiness of palawan, fresh produce at your doorstep, courtesy of dot–grab tie–up, dot ‘seal of good housekeeping’ boosts confidence among restos amid pandemic – puyat, dot celebrates as palawan reclaims best island in the world citation, tourism chief bullish on english schools’ recovery, dot, fao team up for sustainable farm tourism in ph, meetings, conventions allowed only under mgcq at 50% capacity – dot, boracay now open to youths, seniors from region, dot chief lauds senate approval of bayanihan 2 on final reading, cites plans for 10b stimulus fund, “think out of the box,” tourism industry urged in dot webinar, dot assures tourist stakeholders of all–out support for slow reopening, puyat meets with bohol execs to tackle tourism situation, recovery plans, dot, cloud panda ph launches phl harvest e-commerce site, statement of dot, dot to scale up baguio’s ridge to reef travel bubble plan across phl, dot celebrates “surprisingly spectacular diving” tag of 3 phl dive sites by lonely planet, phl bags best overseas diving award 2020, statement of department of tourism, dot’s phidex 2020 goes digital, dot-dole amended jmc further expands coverage of beneficiaries.

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Tourism industry in the Philippines - statistics & facts

Domestic tourism leading the industry in times of uncertainty, outlook of the tourism industry, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Value of domestic tourism spending APAC 2022, by country

Value of international tourism spending APAC 2022, by country

Estimated online travel and tourism revenue Philippines 2023, by category

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Gross value added of the tourism industry Philippines 2019-2022, by type

Number of domestic tourism trips Philippines 2012-2021

Leisure Travel

International tourist arrivals Philippines 2012-2023

Related topics

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• Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the Philippines
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• Passenger transport in the Philippines
• Food service industry in the Philippines

Recommended statistics

• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2022, by subregion
• Basic Statistic Value of domestic tourism spending APAC 2022, by country
• Basic Statistic Value of international tourism spending APAC 2022, by country
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's direct contribution to employment APAC 2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Estimated online travel and tourism revenue Philippines 2023, by category

International tourist arrivals worldwide 2019-2022, by subregion

Number of international tourist arrivals worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by subregion (in millions)

Value of domestic tourism expenditure in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022, by country or territory (in billion U.S. dollars)

Value of international tourism expenditure in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022, by country or territory (in billion U.S. dollars)

Travel and tourism's direct contribution to employment APAC 2022, by country

Direct contribution of travel and tourism to employment in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022, by country or territory (in millions)

Estimated revenue on online travel and tourism services in the Philippines in 2023, by category (in million U.S. dollars)

Economic impact

• Premium Statistic Gross value added of the tourism industry Philippines 2019-2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Share of tourism GDP Philippines 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Tourism industry growth rate Philippines 2018/19-2021/22, by sector
• Premium Statistic Tourism receipts Philippines 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Tourism expenditures Philippines 2022, by travel type
• Premium Statistic Tourism sector employment figures Philippines 2012-2022

Gross value added generated from the tourism industry in the Philippines from 2019 to 2022, by type (in billion Philippine pesos)

Share of tourism GDP Philippines 2012-2022

Share of direct gross value added of the tourism industry to the GDP of the Philippines from 2012 to 2022

Tourism industry growth rate Philippines 2018/19-2021/22, by sector

Annual growth rate of the gross value added generated from the tourism industry (GVATI) in the Philippines from 2018/19 to 2021/22, by sector

Tourism receipts Philippines 2019-2022

Tourism receipts in the Philippines from 2019 to 2022 (in billion Philippine pesos)

Tourism expenditures Philippines 2022, by travel type

Total value of tourism expenditures in the Philippines in 2022, by type of travel (in billion Philippine pesos)

Tourism sector employment figures Philippines 2012-2022

Total number of people employed in the tourism industry in the Philippines from 2012 to 2022 (in millions)

Inbound tourism

• Basic Statistic International tourist arrivals Philippines 2012-2023
• Premium Statistic Tourist arrivals Philippines 2023, by country of residence
• Premium Statistic Expenditure value in inbound tourism Philippines 2021-2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound overnight tourists Philippines 2012-2021
• Premium Statistic Average length of stay of inbound tourists Philippines 2012-2021

Total number of international tourist arrivals to the Philippines from 2012 to 2023 (in millions)

Tourist arrivals Philippines 2023, by country of residence

Leading source countries of foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines in 2023 (in 1,000s)

Expenditure value in inbound tourism Philippines 2021-2022, by type

Total value of expenditure in inbound tourism in the Philippines in 2021 and 2022, by type (in billion Philippine pesos)

Number of inbound overnight tourists Philippines 2012-2021

Number of inbound overnight visitors in the Philippines from 2012 to 2021

Average length of stay of inbound tourists Philippines 2012-2021

Average length of stay of inbound tourists in the Philippines from 2012 to 2021 (in days)

Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of domestic tourism trips Philippines 2012-2021
• Premium Statistic Domestic passenger count Philippines 2022, by airline
• Premium Statistic Household expenditure share of domestic tourism spending Philippines 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourism expenditures Philippines 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourism expenditures Philippines 2020-2022, by product

Total number of domestic tourism trips in the Philippines from 2012 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Domestic passenger count Philippines 2022, by airline

Number of domestic passengers in the Philippines in 2022, by airline (in millions)

Household expenditure share of domestic tourism spending Philippines 2012-2022

Domestic tourism expenditure as a share of household final consumption expenditure in the Philippines from 2012 to 2022

Domestic tourism expenditures Philippines 2012-2022

Total value of domestic tourism expenditures in the Philippines from 2012 to 2022 (in billion Philippine pesos)

Domestic tourism expenditures Philippines 2020-2022, by product

Total value of expenditure in domestic tourism in the Philippines from 2020 to 2022, by product (in billion Philippine pesos)

Outbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist departures in the Philippines 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism expenditures Philippines 2020-2022, by segment
• Premium Statistic Expenditures on accommodation services in outbound tourism Philippines 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Expenditures on food and beverage services in outbound tourism Philippines 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Expenditures on travel agency services in outbound tourism Philippines 2012-2022

Number of international tourist departures in the Philippines 2014-2029

Number of international tourist departures in the Philippines from 2014 to 2029 (in millions)

Outbound tourism expenditures Philippines 2020-2022, by segment

Total value of expenditure in outbound tourism in the Philippines from 2020 to 2022, by segment (in billion Philippine pesos)

Expenditures on accommodation services in outbound tourism Philippines 2012-2022

Value of expenditures on accommodation services for visitors in outbound tourism in the Philippines from 2012 to 2022 (in billion Philippine pesos)

Expenditures on food and beverage services in outbound tourism Philippines 2012-2022

Value of expenditures on food and beverage serving services in outbound tourism in the Philippines from 2012 to 2022 (in billion Philippine pesos)

Expenditures on travel agency services in outbound tourism Philippines 2012-2022

Value of expenditures on travel agencies and other reservation services in outbound tourism in the Philippines from 2012 to 2022 (in billion Philippine pesos)

Accommodation

• Premium Statistic Overnight travelers Philippines 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Revenue of the hotels industry in the Philippines 2019-2028
• Premium Statistic Average hotel room rates Metro Manila Philippines 2021-2022, by star classification
• Premium Statistic Highest overnight room rates of hotels in Metro Manila, Philippines 2023, by city
• Premium Statistic Revenue of the vacation rentals industry in the Philippines 2019-2028

Overnight travelers Philippines 2022, by type

Number of overnight travelers in the Philippines in 2022, by type (in millions)

Revenue of the hotels industry in the Philippines 2019-2028

Revenue of the hotels market in the Philippines from 2019 to 2028 (in million U.S. dollars)

Average hotel room rates Metro Manila Philippines 2021-2022, by star classification

Average room rates for hotels in Metro Manila in the Philippines in 2021 and 2022, by star classification (in U.S. dollars)

Highest overnight room rates of hotels in Metro Manila, Philippines 2023, by city

Maximum overnight room rate of hotels in Metro Manila in the Philippines as of June 2023, by city (in Philippine pesos)

Revenue of the vacation rentals industry in the Philippines 2019-2028

Revenue of the vacation rentals market in the Philippines from 2019 to 2028 (in million U.S. dollars)

Further reports Get the best reports to understand your industry

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GO EXPLORE CEBU: CEBU BUSINESS MONTHS 2022 REVS UP TOURISM INITIATIVES

Marking the pinnacle of this year’s Tourism Summit , held last August 11at Sky Hall Seaside Cebu – SMX Convention Center, SM Seaside, Cebu City are business leaders and tourism players with over 300 attendees provided an avenue to learn, interact and network with the industry’s stakeholders.

Jumpstarting an exciting line-up of topics for the summit was no less than Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary and concurrent Director for Regional Office 7 Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, who presented updates on programs and activities for the revival and recovery of the region’s tourism industry: “In the past few years, the regional office has worked on recalibrating and strengthening the region’s tourism products and offerings through the creation and development of new tourism circuits, activities aimed towards the development of sustainable, resilient and inclusive tourism products, ensuring that benefits of tourism are brought to the grassroots level, that there’s equal access to opportunities, and safe tourism experience for all.”

Relaying a strong resolve to improve the country’s standing in the global tourism arena, newly installed DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco delivered an inspiring Keynote Speech: “Presently, the Philippines ranks at number six in the ASEAN and number 75 in the world in terms of tourism statistics. But considering the beauty and the quality of our natural offerings, as well as the talent and warmth of our people, we’re simply not satisfied with regaining our number six position and number 75 global position. We want our standing to far exceeds its present state.”

Shedding light on trends in the travel and tourism industry were Mr. Paolo Campillo, General Manager of FILI Hotel – NUSTAR Resort and Casino, who zeroed in on the rise of local hospitality and how FILI recognizes the need to create a unique brand experience for guests: “Success for us will be about creating a space which engages the local community and supports local causes, local artists; engaging the senses to create travel memories that will connect with our guests so they come back and they become our brand ambassadors; and finally, really, it is the service of the Filipino people”; and Mr. Marvin Villaruz, Director of Sales and Marketing for Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, who emphasized the importance of taking care of employees as a key factor in the tourism industry’s road to recovery: “As for Sheraton, we always focus on people first, we take care of our people. And that, I think, is our message for our recovery… It’s the people that we need to take care of first.”

Moderating the panel discussion on Regenerative Tourism by Cebu’s legendary host Jude Bacalso, hand-picke  industry leaders shared their personal experiences and insights in various areas of tourism: Sports Tourism (Marc Laurenze Celis, General Manager and Managing Partner of Spartan Race Philippines), Cultural Heritage Tourism (Hon. Jocelyn “Joy” Pesquera, Cebu City Councilor and Chairperson of the Cebu City Tourism Commission), Medical Tourism (Dr. Shahana Pearl Uy-Ang, Owner of Pearl Medical Aesthetics and Laser Center), Agri/Food Tourism (Gumero “Mhy” Cogal, Owner of Mhy J’s Refreshment and Dragon Fruit Farm), and Eco-Tourism (Edwin Vincent Ortiz, CEO of EVO Ventures Group – EVO Nature Camp). To cite an inspiring quote from Mr. Ortiz on how these tourism initiatives add value to local host communities: “We’re very far from being done from what we’re doing, but at least we made a big step in helping promote tourism in the area and helping the neighbors, and helping or promoting the environment as well. So let us do our part in making the world a beautiful place to live in.” In an effort to complement the private sector’s initiatives, Hon. Joy Pesquera expressed that “During the pandemic, we did not stop, but instead came up with new programs. We have expanded our programs to harness our resources, as well as our opportunities.”

Highlighting Vivant Foundation’s CSR journey , Executive Director of and SAVP for Corporate Communications of Vivant Corporation, Shem Jose Garcia, shared  their flagship program “Project Liadlaw”, an initiative focused on providing energy to off-grid schools here he constantly reminding everyone that “Corporate social responsibility is not about competing, it’s about working together for the betterment of everyone.”

Moreover, discussing on Sustainability for Tourism and Business Success, Cebu Pacific Air’s Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience, Candice Iyog, discussed how the airlines gear up in supporting the Philippine tourism industry with its company’s best practices and mantra “Accessibility and affordability” which Cebu Pac being proud of.

Consequently, connecting digitally and transforming tourism into the digital future covers Converge ICT Solutions’ Regional Sales Head-Enterprise Visayas Mindanao, Ms. Christine Marie Gohetia pointed out that  “Internet connectivity has become a landscape; it has become the way of life. Digital is not the future anymore; it is the NOW.”

Furthering transactions via online open doors for cashless payments. Carl Bryan Enerio, Regional Business Lead-Enterprise Sales of Maya Business,  shared the ease and speed of transacting online. “We partnered with merchants or business entities for acceptance. Regardless if it’s a QR code or even if it’s a card payment, Maya would accept all business digital. Maya is about the convenience of acceptance. We don’t compete with other mobile wallets; it’s about providing an aggravated solution for merchants.”

Bridging the gap between tourism and technology revitalize the presence of PLDT through Kent dela Calzada, PLDT Enterprise’s Head of Sales-Visayas, and Ryan Tan-Yu, Chairman of Mata Technologies Inc., both shared ideas on Harnessing Technology for Tourism. Dela Calzada effectively set the tone for his presentation: “The internet has become a part of our lives. Almost everything now is at the tip of our fingers. We can work, shop, watch movies, access educational materials, and connect anywhere in the world no matter the distance, the time difference. We live and breathe the internet.”

Mr. Tan, further added “We would like to usher the advent of technology into the tourism industry responsibly and that is through focusing on two problems that exist on opposite ends of the tourism spectrum and everything in between. These maps that we present will help start a new small business and help the local community.”

Creating value for the properties and the remembering the experience they have are our main concern. General Manager of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu, Mia Singson- Leon, shared her thoughts that “Sustainability for us is about It is about being able to successfully operate, co-exist and continue to thrive for a very long time. It is about protecting what you have in your company. It is about protecting your capitals.”

Wrapping up the forum, CBM 2022 Tourism Chairperson, Kate Dychangco-Anzani, , expressed the team’s gratitude and appreciation to all the speakers, sponsors and attendees during her Closing Remarks.

CBM 2022 is made possible through the support of its partners. Event Partner :  Department of Trade & Industry – Central Visayas;  Presentors: Filinvest Land Inc., PLDT Enterprise, Smart Communications, Inc. and NUSTAR Resort and Casino; Co-Presentors: Cebu Landmasters, Inc., Maya Business, IPI and Angkas; Platinum Sponsors: Arthaland Corporation, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Pacific Air, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., Eastern Communications, Qualfon Philippines and SB Finance; Event Sponsors: SM Seaside City Cebu, VIVANT Energy, Golden Prince Hotel & Suites, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, Cebu Safari & Adventure Park, UNISOL, The Travel Club, Xeleqt and Mataverse. Prime Media Partners:   CDN Digital, SunStar Cebu, The Freeman, Sugbo.ph; Media Partners: Alcordo Advertising, BIGSEED Public Relations & Events, iNews.Ph, BizHero, RMA NEWS and Cebu Online News Press Corps.

The campaign to revitalize tourism kicked off  with the symbolic bridge ride over the iconic Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in April 28; an interactive and engaging Tourism Round Table Discussion during the Cebu Travel Catalogue In-ternational held at Ayala Center Cebu in June 10: and the GO Race Cebu: The Great Safari Experi-ence last July 30th, where 1,200 runners took part in a unique trail trace at the Cebu Safari and Ad-venture Park in Carmen.

CCCI and the dynamic working team behind CBM 2022 have geared up to unveil exciting programs and activities on its milestone 26th year. Keep posted for a series of events under Tourism, ICT-BPM, Entrepreneurship and Creative Entertainment spread out from June to November 2022.

For more information, visit www.cebuchamber.org, and CBM’s official Facebook and Instagram pages: facebook.com/CebuBusinessMonth and instagram.com/cbm.ph .

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Philippine Tourism and Statistics:

Your source for learning about the philippines.

Philippine Tourism and Statistics is a site for travel information, and for learning about the archipelago, its people, and places.

As of 03/27/2024: The Conversion Rate for 1 US Dollar = 56.54 Philippine P eso

Welcome to April!!

On this site we will discover the places to see and their statistical information.

There are Three Main Island Groups in the Country:

The Luzon Island Group , the Visayas Island Group , and the Mindanao Island Group .

We shall break down the island groups and discuss their islands, regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays (villages or neighborhoods).

Map of the Philippine Islands:

Reymund is a schoolteacher in the Philippines.

Philippines as a Whole:

The archipelago of the Philippines has 16 regions, and the National Capitol Region (NCR). It is comprised of about 7,641 islands, 82 provinces, 20 independent cities, 125 component cities, 1,490 municipalities, and 42,060 barangays (of which 4,481 are island barangays). It has a land area of 263,868 sq. km. or 99,703 sq mi., and as of 2020 the population was 109,046,348.

Luzon Island Group

The Island Group of Luzon is the northernmost section of the archipelago. Luzon, its main island is the largest and most populated island in the Philippines There are also a lot of other islands.

The group has 7 regions and the National Capitol Region (NCR), 38 provinces, 6 independent cities, 66 component cities, 699 municipalities, and 20,533 barangays (of which 2,100 are island barangays).

It has a land area of 130,789.51 sq. km. or 50,048.33 sq mi., and as of 2020 the population was 62,210,04.

Visayas Island Group

The Island Group of Visayas is in the central section of the archipelago. It is made up of multiple islands.

The group has 3 regions, 16 provinces, 6 independent cities, 34 component cities, 369 municipalities, and 11,444 barangays (of which 1,059 are island barangays).

It has a land area of 39,137.07 sq. km. or 14,162.29 sq mi., and as of 2020 the population was 20,583,861.

Mindanao Island Group

The Island Group of Mindanao is the southernmost section of the archipelago. Mindanao, its main island is the largest island of the southern islands; to the southwest is the Sulu Archipelago.

The group has 6 regions, 29 provinces, 8 independent cities, 25 component cities, 422 municipalities, and 10,083 barangays (of which 1,322 are island barangays).

It has a land area of 120,485 sq. km. or 46,519 sq mi., and as of 2020 the population was 26,518,159.

Who are the Filipinos?: Ethnic groups of the Philippines.

• Misamis Oriental, Home to the City of Golden Friendship! by Walt April 8, 2024 Misamis Oriental is a province located in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. Its provincial capital and the regional center are the city… Read more : Misamis Oriental, Home to the City of Golden Friendship!
• Misamis Occidental by Walt April 8, 2024 Discovering the Charms of Misamis Occidental Misamis Occidental, nestled in the region of Northern Mindanao in the Philippines, offers a unique blend of cultural… Read more : Misamis Occidental
• Lanao del Norte by Walt April 7, 2024 Lanao del Norte is a province located in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. Its provincial capital is the municipality of Tubod, and… Read more : Lanao del Norte
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Today’s front page, Tuesday, April 9, 2024

CLI bullish on Cebu’s tourism industry

• Rizal Raoul Reyes
• September 14, 2021
• 4 minute read

LEADING developer in Visayas and Mindanao, Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is bullish in the most progressive province in the Visayas region as far as tourism is concerned. CLI recently launched the P2.5-billion Abaca Resort Mactan. The expanded luxury boutique hotel is set to be completed in 2024.

“We have always wanted to contribute towards making Cebu a thriving economic and tourism destination,” CLI Chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III said in a recent webinar.

“Abaca Resort Mactan will put Cebu on the radar of this emerging breed of global travelers seeking world-class, authentic, and unique holiday experience,” Soberano added.

Jason Hyatt, the Abaca Group’s founder, managing partner and executive chef said the partnership with CLI will boost their stature and branding as one of the high-end resort hotels in Cebu. “As one of the country’s preeminent developers, we are honored that CLI has chosen to partner with us once again through their hospitality arm. Being added to their portfolio of established global brands like Accor, Radisson and Ascott are so inspiring.”

Büro Ole Scheeren, principal architect of the Abaca Resort Mactan pointed out the 125-room all-suite accommodation featuring exclusively panoramic ocean views is going to provide the need for luxury resorts in Cebu’s aimed to attract global travelers.  It will rise 17-stories high on a 4,500 sq m—the property formerly occupied by the multi-awarded Abaca Boutique Resort in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City, a tourism growth center.

“It will create a sense of exclusivity and become a special place for the transformation of privacy,” Scheeren said.

He said the guests of Abaca Mactan Resort can share their collective experiences and create a sense of magic and mystery.

Some of their notable projects are CTBUH Urban Habitat Award 2020 Winner DUO in Singapore, the World Building of the Year 2015 The Interlace in Singapore, and MahaNakhon Tower in Bangkok, a mixed-use high-rise development that upends the conventional typology of the skyscraper. The resort’s design is also locally supported by the Philippines’s leading architectural firm AIDEA.

CLI purchased the property in 2019 and has signed up the Abaca Group to continue operating the hotel and providing luxury experiences tailored for local and global tourists.

Soberano said CLI is expanding its hotel portfolio to 1,433 rooms by 2025. He said this is in line with CLI’s strategy to build up its recurring business contributing 10 percent to the company’s topline.

“We see tourism in the Visayas and Mindanao driving the economy once global mobility is restored,” according to Soberano. With direct flight connections all over the world, Cebu will be the natural gateway to the Philippines for many travelers seeking to enjoy the country’s world-acclaimed beaches and other attractions. “We will be ready for that boom.”

A huge potential for tourism

In an e-mail interview with the BusinessMirror, Lobien Realty Group (LRG) CEO Sheila Lobien stressed that investing in Cebu’s tourism sector is a logical move for developers as it is one of the major destinations in the country of both local and foreign tourists. Moreover, it has a seaport, an international airport, and has the existing infrastructure to support tourism.

“Cebu is very reliant on tourism and is second to Boracay as the country’s top tourist destination. Based on Department of Tourism 2019 figures, foreign tourists numbered 1.4 million which is only 200,000 less than Boracay,” Lobien said.

“Bureau of Immigration statistics showed that around 3.5 million passengers arrived in the Philippines in 2020, an 80-percent drop compared to the 16.7 million in 2019. For Cebu, an 80-percent drop in tourist arrival translates to around P150 billion in foregone annual revenues from tourism; thus, tourism is very important for Cebu’s economic recovery,” Lobien added.

Barring the existence of new Covid variants that may be more transmissible and more lethal, Lobien said the confidence to travel will probably be back in two years pointing out the Philippines’s current agreements for Covid vaccine supply are enough to fully vaccinate close to 70 percent of Filipinos.

“However, there are three items that may complicate the target timelines: [1] the dates of the deliveries of these vaccine supplies, [2] the need for booster shots for vulnerable members of the population, and [3] the inclusion of younger population to the vaccination program. These three items will require more vaccine supply and will need more time to vaccinate which may further slide our herd immunity goal and timelines. But two years is a reasonable timeline if we are able to ensure we have sufficient vaccine supply that can be rolled out in time and no new variants will appear to spoil our efforts,” she said.

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COVID-19 timeline in Cebu City 

N. Bacalso Avenue, one of the longest streets in the city, is almost empty in this photo taken on Sunday, May 31, 2020, a day before Cebu City was downgraded to GCQ from ECQ. | CDN Digital file photo

First of two parts

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu City ended the last week of 2020 with a development better than what it went through during the first half of this year–there are less than 200 active cases left of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

Active cases refer to patients still infected with SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) last March. 

With a population of around 1.1 million, based on local officials’ count, Cebu City is the heart of the country’s second-largest metropolis, Metro Cebu. 

The capital of Cebu province, the ‘Queen City of the South,’ is considered as the center of commercial and economic activities in the Visayas-Mindanao region. 

But like any major city, it was not spared by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Before it achieved in flattening the epidemic curve, Cebu City was tagged as the epicenter of the virus in Central Visayas – and some experts say, maybe even for the entire Philippines.

Data from the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) showed that as of December 30, the city is monitoring 106 active cases of the infection. 

Meanwhile, Cebu City has documented a total of 10,820 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in which 10,022 have already recovered, enabling the local government to post a recovery rate of 92.7 percent. 

The city has a COVID-19 mortality rate of 6.38 percent as it recorded a total of 690 deaths related to the infection. 

As we move on to 2021 with renewed hopes, CDN Digital has come up with this year-ender report, documenting the most significant events and milestones the Queen City of the South has experienced during the pandemic. 

JANUARY: First suspected COVID case in PH was found in Cebu City 

News of SARS-CoV-2, named back then as the novel coronavirus 2019, began in December 2019 after it was discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei province. The story would later explode in the following year, January, sending teeters across the globe. 

Cebuanos were also keeping watch on its developments.

Social media here went abuzz when reports started circulating online that a mother and her five-year-old son, both from Wuhan City, allegedly showed symptoms of the then mysterious disease characterized by dry cough and fever, during their stay in Cebu City for their English classes. 

Health officials from DOH intervened and on January 21, announced that the samples taken both from mother and child yielded a ‘non-specific pancoronavirus.’ At that time, there were no laboratories in the Philippines capable of recognizing the kind of virus found in Wuhan City. 

It took nearly three days, which involved delivering the specimens to Australia and back, for officials to declare that the mother and child, who were also subjected to quarantine upon discovery of their symptoms, did not get the ‘mysterious disease’ plaguing Wuhan City. 

MARCH: Hello COVID, Hello ECQ

The first confirmed COVID-19 case in the entire island of Cebu was a 65-year-old physician who was hospitalized in Mandaue City. His case was logged and reported on DOH’s official website that monitors the infectious outbreak on March 18.

But it was only on March 28, or 10 days later, when health officials announced that they discovered the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in Cebu City from 18 patients, most of whom, at that time, were hospitalized and were senior citizens. 

On the same day, the city government, led by Mayor Edgardo Labella, decided to follow the steps of Metro Manila – which is to implement Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the strictest form of community quarantine or lockdown. 

As ECQ took effect on March 28, the streets of Cebu City gradually transitioned from being heavily congested to virtually empty as quarantine restrictions paralyzed public transportation, prohibited residents to go out of their houses except for essential trips, and strict border controls. 

It was also at this time when the city introduced quarantine passes (QPass). 

A car-less Escario Street, and traffic-free Osmeña Boulevard, both of which are unusual for a city riddled with traffic congestion, marked the first few weeks of Cebu City’s ECQ.

ECQ also forced several businesses here to suspend operations and worse – close permanently. This development would eventually turn out to have an adverse effect on the city’s economic health, prompting business leaders here to express opposition to the revival of city-wide and stricter lockdowns. 

The city government also replicated ‘massive testing’, being conducted by several developed countries overseas such as South Korea, to determine the extent of the outbreak by purchasing at least 20,000 test kits that employ RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) techniques, the gold standard in detecting SARS-CoV-2. 

Officials also claimed to be the first local government unit (LGU) in the country to do ‘massive testing’ which was rolled out in April, when hundreds of infected patients began to appear.

APRIL: Hotspots Zapatera, Cebu City Jail

The spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Cebu City began between April 14 and April 15 when the City Health Department finally did ‘mass testing’, taking swab samples from first-degree contacts of confirmed patients. As a result, double-digit reporting in the additional patients per day began. 

A densely populated sitio in Barrio Luz is placed under lockdown starting Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 after three COVID-19 cases were reported there. | Photo courtesy of Councilor Dave Tumulak

At the center of the mass testing was Sitio (sub-village in English) Zapatera in Barangay Luz , a densely populated urban-poor area in uptown Cebu City. Barangay officials were the first to sound the alarm after discovering that one of their residents in Sitio Zapatera tested positive for the virus. 

They were the ones who told health experts from CHD about the circumstances surrounding their first patient, particularly the fact that he resides in a community where houses are built so close to each other, and that there was barely enough space for roads leading to the interior parts. 

On April 7, total lockdown was implemented in Sitio Zapatera but news of it only surfaced on April 12 when two more residents there were confirmed to have COVID-19. 

At this point, village officials sought further assistance from the city government and the police in an attempt to contain the virus but later on, this would prove insufficient as the number of infected patients in Barangay Luz eventually jumped to more than 200. 

Read: Luz officials to PRO-7: Lift lockdown in Sitio Zapatera

Before Sitio Zapatera was tagged as ‘COVID-19 hotspot’, experts from CHD have earlier expressed concerns about the challenges and difficulties in containing the virus in urban poor communities due to the fact physical distancing, one of the most important health protocol designed to prevent the spread of the infection, cannot be fully implemented there.  

Aside from urban poor communities, concerned citizens and groups were also alarmed about the possibility of the virus spreading in jailhouses.

In a report from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) reported that most penal facilities across the country are around 500 percent overcrowded.

Running at a rate like this, most jails in the Philippines, including the Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunasan, one can expect detainees sleeping right next to each other or with another prisoner’s foot over their heads. 

Cebu City Jail was designed to house only a maximum of 900 prisoners but as of 2020, the BJMP here said it is now home to more than 6,400 persons deprived of liberties (PDLs).

With this, Cebu City Jail is 1000 percent overcrowded. 

Up to this date, details on how the virus reached the city jail remained unclear, if not vague. But over 300 inmates and jail officers there contracted the virus. 

Read: COVID-19 reported in Cebu City Jail

When health officials reported documenting two confirmed COVID-19 patients from Cebu City Jail – a jail officer and a detainee who eventually died – in April, Labella ordered the indefinite suspension of transferring – or in legal terms, committing – arrested individuals to the city penal facility and let them stay in police detention centers in the meantime. 

This file photo courtesy of the Cebu City PIO shows a portion of the Cebu City Jail.

These mandates were later on adopted by BJMP’s central office, ordering all jailhouses in the country not to accept new prisoners as of the moment. 

Visiting privileges and dunol , a practice of delivering packages for prisoners, were also suspended. 

Read: Visiting rights of some C. Visayas jails suspended

MAY: Mambaling as the new hotspot, and ‘strategic massive rapid testing’

By May, Cebu City was still under ECQ. On May 4, the city breached the 1,000-mark in the total number of documented COVID-19 patients, and new cases kept rising. 

The effects of ECQ, particularly on the economy, has also started to manifest through double-digit unemployment rates, more establishments suspending operations or permanently closing, and more people requesting for and relying on government aid. 

In Central Visayas, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded an unemployment rate of 16.7 percent in April. This would translate to 905,140 out of the 5.42 million individuals in the region, age 15 years old and above, who lost their jobs. 

Members of the private sector decided to team up with national government agencies to boost testing and fast-track execution of measures needed to revive the ailing economy, with tourism being one of the hardest-hit sectors. 

It was in May when the city governments of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu participated in a ‘strategic’ mass rapid testing together called the ‘Project Balik Buhay’ program. 

Read: Business groups support Project Balik Buhay

‘Project Balik Buhay’ program was formulated in the hopes that Metro Cebu’s three largest cities will relax their ECQ protocols, and transition to a general community quarantine (GCQ) by May 21. 

But this initiative from members of the private sector, DOH-7, and Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) was under wide scrutiny as it employed the use of antibody rapid test kits. 

There were questions hounding the reliability of antibody rapid test kits in detecting COVID-19, with critics pointing out that these were designed to see if antibodies, which are produced when infection occurs, are present in a person, and not the virus causing it. 

Around 23,000 individuals in Cebu City alone were subjected to the surveillance program. 

While health officials were ironing out mechanisms in carrying out Project Balik Buhay, a new COVID-19 hotspot is emerging in the southern district of Cebu City, and would eventually surpass the numbers posted by Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz, and Cebu City Jail.

A rapid outbreak of the infection was recorded in Alaska Mambaling. 

Read: Mambaling breaks 500-mark of COVID-19 cases

Like Sitio Zapatera, this residential area is considered an ‘urban poor community’ but the population residing in Alaska Mambaling is twice that of the 9,000 individuals living in Sitio Zapatera. 

Majority of the close to 700 COVID-19 cases in Barangay Mambaling came from Alaska Mambaling. As a result, residents there endured lockdown for a total of four months. 

JUNE: Short-lived GCQ, surge in new cases

Cebu City greeted the start of 2020’s second half with relatively good news – the city was placed back to a more relaxed form of community quarantine – GCQ. 

But it would turn out to be short-lived as it would soon grapple with a surge of new cases that led to overwhelmed hospitals, spike in COVID-related deaths, and the appointment of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu. 

The national government’s anti-coronavirus task force, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-MEID), reverted Cebu City on June 15 back to ECQ, the lone area that did so in the entire country.

Read: It’s back to ECQ for Cebu City

Many experts also expressed alarm at the dramatic rise of new COVID-19 cases as well as reports of hospitals full to the brim with COVID-19 patients. 

At one point, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro ‘Teddy’ Locsin Jr. had to issue an apology to the United Kingdom when a Briton here died without getting proper treatment from hospitals as they have been swarmed by COVID-19 patients. 

By June 23, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Cimatu as the chief implementer of the Visayas counterpart of IATF-MEID. His assignment was to bring the outbreak in Cebu City down to manageable levels. 

Read: Duterte to send Cimatu to Cebu to monitor COVID-19 situation

Barely 24 hours since he was tasked to intervene on behalf of the national government, Cimatu told local officials here to scrap all quarantine passes (QPass) they issued last March. 

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu (right most) arrives in Cebu City to assess the COVID-19 situation in the city. | Photo courtesy of OPAV

A new set of QPasses was released later on.

Read: Guidelines for the new quarantine passes in Cebu City

To be continued

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