Tourism revenue hits 1245 B in H1

The Philippines’ tourism industry has generated some 1245 billion in receipts from international visitors during the first six months of the year 2019, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The corresponding total receipts from the six-month arrivals increased by 17.57% from the half-year gross revenues in 2018.

Data provided by the DOT Statistics, Economic Analysis and Information Management Division (SEAMID) show the highest monthly receipts of 142 billion in the month of January.

For June 2019, spending reached an estimated 138 billion, which is 30.56% higher than the same month last year, while tourist per capita expenditure increased to $1,086.61 or 30.97% higher than June 2018.

So far, the DOT is keeping up with its target to attract high spending and longer staying tourists in the Philippines. As proof that our guests truly find it more fun in the Philippines, average daily expenditure and average length of stay per tourist reached $120.60 and 9.01 nights, respectively, which is 28.64% and 1.81% higher than the same month last year. This is based on the data from arrival and departure cards, shipping manifests, and visitor sample survey.

“These economic numbers are exciting but the real purpose of why the government is working hard to push these numbers up year after year is for the Filipino people. Tourism in 2018 was responsible for 5.4 million jobs in 2018, contributing 12.7 percent or 12.2 trillion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). At the end of the day, it is the number of lives changed for the better by tourism that would truly count,” remarked Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.