DOT Expects Growth in Tourist Arrivals for 2010 with Tourism Act Implementation

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is forecasting a 15% increase in domestic and tourist arrivals in the Philippines’ top destinations this year, thanks to the implementation of Republic Act 9593, or the National Tourism Act of 2009.

With the implementation of the said law, the DoT foresees the coordinated and integrated efforts of the government and the private sector to expand current capacity, increase tourist demand, enhance revenues, and create more employment opportunities for Filipinos.

In a statement, DoT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. said that the international and local travel markets have regained their confidence in the global economy, which could result in more activity in business and travel, specifically in the field of MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions).

Based on the data of DoT, Cebu is still the top destination in the Philippines, attracting 1.61 million tourists, a 1.24 percent growth from 2008. Camarines Sur posted the most remarkable growth in tourism arrivals, with 117.25 percent. The growth is attributed to the international and local events such as the First Aqua Fest Celebrity Challenge, Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, International Dragon Boat Competition and Bagasbas Summer Surf that were held here last year, which boosted domestic visitors to CamSur by 140% to 1.3 million, while foreign tourists went up by 56.1%.

CamSur was followed by Metro Manila and the other prime destinations in the country such as Baguio City, Davao City, Boracay Isalnd, Cagayan de Oro, Zambales, Bohol, Puerto Princesa City, Camiguin, Cagayan Valley, Negros Oriental, and Ilocos Norte.

Aside from the Chinese and Taiwanese tourists, who are regular visitors in the country, European tourist arrival is continuously growing. According to DoT Director Marie Venus Tan, the Philippines has been posting continued growth on European tourist arrivals for six years now, with the 2009 year-on-year growth at five percent. On top of the list is United Kingdom with 70,000-80,000 visitors followed by Germany, 68,000; France, 50,000; Switzerland, 47,000; and Russia with 35, 000.

The National Tourism Act of 2009 declares "a national policy for tourism as an engine of investment, employment, growth and national development, and strengthens the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies to effectively and efficiently implement that policy, and appropriates funds therefore”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:
Villanueva, Joann, Balita.ph. RP eyes robust tourist arrivals from Europe after the global meltdown (Posted March 15, 2010) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://balita.ph/2010/03/15/rp-eyes-robust-tourist-arrivals-from-europe-after-the-global-meltdown/

Mozo, Malou, Manila Bulletin. DoT targets 15% hike in tourist arrivals (Reposted by Department of Tourism on March 7, 2010) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Pages/20100309DoTtargets15hikeintouristarrivals.aspx

Dagooc, Ehda, The Freeman. DOT expects 15% growth in tourist arrivals in 2010 (Posted March 06, 2010) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=555425&publicationSubCategoryId=108

Sun.Star Network Online. Arrivals to rise 15% in 2010 (Posted February 21, 2010) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/arrivals-rise-15-2010

Office of the President: National Tourism Act of 2009 (Posted May 12, 2009) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://www.op.gov.ph/directives/RA9593.pdf