Even sans restrictions, quick rebound unlikely in tourism

THE Philippine tourism sector is not yet expected to make a huge comeback despite the lifting of restrictions, according to economists from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In an Asian Development Blog, ADB Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department (ERCD) trade economist Jules Hugot and Economic Researcher and Data Analyst Reizle Platitas said the country remains dependent on tourists from China and other Asian countries.

Travel restrictions in these countries have remained, including going

on quarantine when tourists return from their travels abroad.

“Even after lifting quarantine requirements, other destinations are likely to struggle as they largely depend on tourists from the People’s Republic of China and other large Asian economies that still enforce quarantines upon return,” Hugot and Platitas said.

Data from the Department of

Tourism (DOT) showed that in 2019, pre-pandemic, tourists from China reached 1.74 million, the second highest number of Philippine visitors. Korea ranked first with a total of 1.99 tourists visiting the country in 2019.

The January to May 2021 data showed tourists from the United States topped the arrivals in that year, accounting for 8,614 tourists.

This was followed by Japan, China, and India with a total of 5,362, 2,851, and 1,836 tourists, respectively.

Hugot and Platitas said the Philippines, however, is not alone in this plight. Other countries such as several Pacific island countries, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam also face the same constraints.

“The last two years have shown that removing mandatory quarantines upon arrival is key to reviving tourism. And this is only possible where domestic vaccination rates are sufficiently high to protect the population,” the authors said.

“But this is not enough: there will be no full recovery in the region until all major regional economies relax restrictions for outbound travelers returning home,” they added.

Last month, data from Uk-based technology firm Travelport showed that in the first quarter of 2022, the Philippines and Thailand account for over half or 51 percent of all international flight bookings to Southeast Asia.

Travelport said the Philippines has become the top travel destination country in Southeast Asia as the national government moved to reopen its borders to tourists ahead of other countries in the region.

The top 10 travel destinations in the region included Manila as well as Angeles and Mabalacat. Manila was ranked first while Angeles and Mabalacat were ranked 10th.