STATS FOR TOURISM

Data is seen to guide the tourism sector on the direction of their development

Statistics can help aid in the development of the tourism sector in the country, a government official said.

Philippine Statistics Authority 11 (PSA 11) statistical operations and coordinating division chief Rosendo M. Aya-ay said this can help the tourism sector in the country be guided in the future plans of the sector.

“Under the Tourism Act Republic Act 9593, tourism is an indispensable element of the national economy and industry of national interest and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation,” Aya-ay said during the closing ceremonies of the 29th National Statistics Month.

Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) records show that the domestic tourism expenditure grew by 25.5 percent, from P2,108.2 billion in 2016 to P2,644.8 billion in 2017.

The same records also show an increase in the employment of Filipinos in the tourism sector. Employment in tourism characteristic industries was estimated at 5.3 million in 2017, higher by 0.9 percent compared to 5.2 million in the previous year. “Share of employment in tourism industries to total employment in the country was recorded at 13.1 percent in 2017,” Aya-ay said.

Based from the Survey of Tourism Establishment in the Philippines (STEP) released in 2016 the total revenue generated from tourists amounted to P560.5 billion from over 39,000 establishments.

Bangko Sentral Pilipinas director Felicitas C. Concha said statistics on the current tourism industry must shed in light in maintaining the beauty of tourist spots in the country.

“And the challenge for all of us is to make sure that they will be preserved for the next generation to explore and enjoy,” Concha said.