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MANILA — Tourist volume in the country’s major destinations from January to May 2010 totaled to 3.65 million for an increase of 5.37 percent vis-à-vis the same period in 2009. The movement of foreign tourists in key tourist areas expanded by 12.81 percent compared to the travel of domestic tourists which posted 2.12 percent growth.
Metro Manila is the leading destination with a share of 23.3 percent for 848,518 tourists staying in accommodation facilities. The East Asia market composed of China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan is the Metropolis’ major source market which ac counted for 41.7 percent of its total visitors.
Local residents from other places visiting Metro Manila for tourism related purposes and staying in hotels and similar facilities registered a share of 35.4 percent. Tourists count in Cebu grew by 4.3 percent for 734,531 visitors in the first five months of 2010, providing impetus for greater public and private sector investments in infrastructure and tourism related facilities.
Visitors in Cebu accounted for a 20 percent share of the total tourist volume in major destinations during the period under review. Korea and Japan are the leading source markets for Cebu with a share of 30 percent and 21 percent, respectively, from the total number of foreign tourists staying in accommodation facilities in the province.
Tourists visiting Boracay Island from January to May 2010 increased by 12.15 percent with foreign visitors staying in hotels and resorts growing faster at 26 percent than domestic tourists which increased by six percent. Taiwanese and Chinese tourists in Boracay continued to expand with the increase in charter flight operations between Taipei and Kaohsiung in Taiwan and Shanghai to Kalibo.
Expanding Capacities in Selected Destinations Seven destinations in the Central Philippines Super Region as well as Metro Manila and Tagaytay City recorded a total number of 2,343 accommodation facilities providing 65,052 available rooms, based on the survey conducted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the first semester of 2010.
These establishments directly employed 46,048 persons with 78 percent being regular personnel and 22 percent seasonal employees.