DOT: Tourism soared in Q1

PHILIPPINE tourism experienced a strong first quarter, drawing in over 1.6 million foreign visitors and raking in P67.74 billion in revenue, and the second quarter is looking to come up even stronger.

The first three months of this year registered a 15.12-percent growth over last year’s figures for the same period, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez had earlier credited the rise in visitors and revenue to the enthusiasm and renewed confidence of Filipinos in the tourism industry, where “we as a country believe that we can deliver an experience to tourists that is more fun because we allow visitors to take part in our joy.”

“And the whole world is as convinced that more people should visit and revisit the Philippines,” he added.

Jimenez also cited the effectiveness of the slogan, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” which had resulted in stronger visitor arrivals.

DOT figures showed that 1,602,253 tourists arrived in the country between January and March this year. It was estimated that they spent around P67.74 billion, much more than the P58.96 billion last year.  Jeannette I. Andrade