CEBU, Philippines — Travel related expenditures among Filipinos has improved, indicating Pinoy’s capacity to spend on non-basic goods and services.
A report from the Department of Tourism (DOT-7) revealed that domestic tourism expenditure in 2017 reached to P2.844 billion, a 25.5 percent improvement from P2.108 billion recorded in 2016.
DOT-7 regional director Shalimar Tamano said Filipinos are now traveling and also spending more while visiting to other places within the country.
In Central Visayas, domestic tourists contributed P7.3 billion to the region’s cash flow in 2017, based on an average length of stay of 1.5 days per vacation and daily expenditure of P1,200.
A report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the provinces of Cebu and Bohol are among the top 10 destinations preferred by local tourists.
Philippine Airlines’ senior assistant vice president for Visayas and Mindanao sales and services Harry Inoferio identified the younger batch of travelers as the more active segment these days.
Those who are working at the call centers are spending weekend getaways in other domestic destinations.
Meanwhile, economist Bernardo Villegas said domestic tourism could grow in double digit in terms of volume and tourism receipts if attractions and promotion efforts are geared toward “tickling” the traveling Filipinos.
Villegas said the high purchasing power of Filipinos, specifically the young working population in the IT, and outsourcing jobs, spend their money “like there’s no tomorrow.” Travel is on top of their list.
Aside from retail, food, entertainment, these particular market are the ones who spend weekends and vacation leave opportunities to explore destinations within the Philippines.
Therefore, while attracting the foreign travelers to come to the Philippines to boost tourism wealth for the country, instant revenue contributor for tourism however, are the Filipinos themselves, Villegas added. (FREEMAN)