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Central Visayas welcomed 2.1 million visitors this year
- Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2015/08/21/central-visayas-welcomed-21-million-visitors-year-425971
- Friday, August 21, 2015
- By Katlene O. Cacho
PROVINCES in Central Visayas welcomed 2.107 million visitors during the first half of 2015.
Records from the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 show local and domestic tourists grew by 6.20 percent from January to June this year, from 1.984 million in 2014.
Domestic arrivals dropped by 1.36 percent from 1.235 million to 1.218 million this year. However, foreign arrivals posted a significant growth of 18.44 percent from 742,947 to 879,936 during the first semester.
Arrivals in Cebu grew by 2.83 percent, from 1.946 million to 1.539 million.
According to economist Bernardo Villegas, the continued growth in tourism helps the country achieve the six to seven percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth eyed in the next three to four years.
Villegas noted that there are about 40 million Filipinos discovering the numerous tourist destinations spread out all over the country, which will continue to sustain growth the country’s tourism sector, providing livelihood to local communities and helping rural areas generate revenues.
In a business forum held here, Villegas encouraged local entrepreneurs to place investments in tourism, especially in Cebu, whose charm still continues to captivate more and more tourists.
The economics professor specifically pointed out Siquijor, Camotes, and Malapascua as ideal destinations for tourism investments. He noted the enhanced air connectivity between the country and overseas, as well as the presence of nautical highway, which he credited to the Arroyo administration, which will spur more travel and tourism-related businesses.
Villegas said the country’s jewel is its young population, who are determined to spend and travel.
Korea remained the region’s top source market, which grew by 26.28 percent to 319,739 arrivals this year, from 253,203 arrivals in 2014.
Taiwan, on the other hand, posted the highest growth during the period at 107.18 percent, from 7,772 arrivals to 16,102 this year.
Japan, which is the region’s second top source market, grew by 22.79 percent to 136,123 arrivals, followed by tourists from the United States, which grew by 13.88 percent or 81,473.
Arrivals from China grew by 16.82 percent from 32,750 to 38,257. Australia, on the other hand, posted 29,668 arrivals during the first half, up by 13.84 percent while guests from United Kingdom slightly grew by 3.59 percent to 20,105.
Other markets also grew significantly.
Germany posted 15.46 percent growth or 19,545 arrivals, followed by Canada, whose growth from last year grew by 5.33 percent to 19,085 arrivals. France posted 29.66 percent growth or 17,942 arrivals.
The Philippines recorded consistent growth in arrivals for the first half of the year, according to the DOT. Latest figures show the country welcomed 2.6 million visitors, posting a 7.65 percent increase over the same months of 2014 at 2.4 million.
Within the six-month period, the month of January still recorded the biggest arrivals at 479,149, while the biggest growth was registered in May 2015, with an increase of 13.53 percent.
Earnings generated from tourism activities in the first half of 2015 grew by 1.16 percent, aggregating to P111.05 billion from the P109.77 billion recorded last year.
For June alone, visitor receipts amounted to P17.14 billion.
Air arrivals to the country for June 2015 was recorded at 387,313 visitors, while those who entered the country by sea registered 3,173 visitors.
Manila received the biggest arrivals at 273,626 or 70.07 percent of the total arrivals. Cebu’s share was at 15.65 percent, hosting 61,121 visitors for June 2015. Kalibo received the third highest arrivals of 36,216 visitors, which constituted 9.27 percent of the total.
On the other hand, arrivals by sea, which constituted 0.81 percent, recorded 3,173 arrivals. Davao received the most number of visitors entering by sea at 1,152, while Batangas followed with 1,041 visitors.