TROPICAL PARADISE Tourists enjoying Boracay sun, sand and sea in this October 2023 photo. —Doris Dumlao-Abadilla
Local tour operators expect a minimum of 30-percent increase in tourist bookings this year, matching the pace of growth seen last year.
This is according to Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) president Fe Abling-Yu, who estimates that bookings in 2023 increased by 30 percent to 40 percent, signaling a postpandemic recovery of this subsegment of the tourism sector.
Their industry saw a “robust” recovery last year mostly due to the aggressive promotion initiatives by both the public and private sectors, she notes.
In a phone interview with the Inquirer, Abling-Yu says the industry is thankful to the Department of Tourism for its efforts in promoting the country as a great tourist destination.
“With the help that they are giving to us, a lot of people who lost their jobs during the pandemic are getting them back,” adds the Philtoa official.
Abling-Yu says that while they have not yet recovered to prepandemic levels, the situation is improving along with the growth in foreign tourist arrivals.
The Philippines received 5.45 million international visitors in 2023, beating the government’s target of 4.8 million arrivals and bringing in more than P480 billion in international tourism receipts, according to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
Abling-Yu says that among the most sought-after destinations this year are Boracay and Siargao, alongside Coron in Palawan and some areas in Davao and Cebu.
For 2024, the Philtoa official says their conservative estimate is that tourist bookings will see the same 30 percent to 40 percent growth as promotional activities by both government and the private sector continue.