Tourist arrivals breach 1 M in Q1 – DOT

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga , Philippines  – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reported that foreign tourist arrivals breached the one million mark in the first quarter of the year.

The DOT also dismissed reports that South Koreans have been outnumbered by other nationals in terms of travel amid threat against their country by North Korea.

“I have talked with tourists from South Korea and there are no indications they are on flight in fear of the North. They seem confident of their capability to defend themselves and are used to the threat from the North,” said DOT assistant secretary for public affairs Frederick Alegre in a forum here.

The Chinese, however, posted the biggest growth in numbers of about 30.26 percent more than those who visited the country in the first quarter last year.

He noted that in the first quarter, South Koreans comprise 24.70 percent of foreign tourists with 440,865 arrivals.

Tourists from US were next, numbering 258,097, while Chinese tourists were third, posting 240,354 arrivals.

Japanese tourists came fourth with 166,251 arrivals and Australia with 66,807, the DOT said.

Alegre said the department is “optimistic that the upward growth of the country’s international tourist arrivals registered at 11.40 percent for the first quarter of 2017, will likely continue throughout the year as it anticipates over P600-billion investments in infrastructure alongside aggressive marketing efforts, and with the heightened security all over the country.”

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo had earlier said the Philippines remains a perennial destination for tourists, with international arrivals breaching the million mark as early as March  this year. 

A total of 1,784,882 visitors have come to the country in the first three months as the DOT continues its efforts to increase the country’s capacity under the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2017-2022, Alegre said.

He noted that of the government’s allocation of P677 billion for the Medium Term Tourism Infrastructure Program, P184.5 billion will be spent on tourism roads to improve land-based travel.

30 ad screens in Rome

Meanwhile, the Philippines has taken over 30 advertisement screens on the floors and gates of the Fiumicino Aeroporto Railway Station, a major train station in Rome, to promote the country’s tourism.

Around the station, promotional Philippine tourism videos play constantly on screens while graphics of Philippine scenery decorate the walls, floors and ticket of Fiumicino Station.

Philippine travel guides and tourism paraphernalia are also being given away at the station, the DOT said.

The ads from June 6 to 11 also brought scenes of the white sand beach of Panglao, Bohol, creating a photo wall where bystanders could sit on beach chairs and have their photo taken as if they were in the Philippines.

Led by the DOT-London Office and supported by the Philippine embassy in Rome, the consumer activation was made possible with partnerships from Singapore Airlines and Mappa Mondo, a major Italian tour operator.

“We are very excited about this consumer activation, especially as it comes at the 70th anniversary of Philippine-Italian relations on July 9. Italian tourists visiting the Philippines not only have a great time, but also strengthen our people-to-people ties,” Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco said.

The official Philippine-Italian 70th Anniversary logo is also featured at the consumer activation. – With Pia Lee-Brago