TOURISM STATISTICS OF PHILIPPINES  2017

Given the importance of tourism in the overall economic growth in the Philippines, one would wonder how much income does tourism bring into the country. In response to this, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) are closely working together to measure the contribution of tourism in the economy through the institutionalization of the PTSA.
As measured by the share of tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) to total gross domestic product (GDP), the contribution of tourism to the economy was estimated at 8.6 percent in 2017. The TDGVA amounted to PhP 1,234.5 billion in 2017, higher percent compared to previous year’s  PhP 1,093.4 billion.

The TDGVA estimate is based on the latest results of the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) which also provides information on tourism expenditure and employment.  The following are the other key results from PTSA:

• • • Inbound tourism expenditure, which refers to the expenditure of non-resident visitors (foreign visitors and Filipinos permanently residing abroad) within the Philippines, grew by 2.3 percent in 2017, amounting to PhP 313.6 billion from PhP 306.6 billion in 2015.  Compared to the country’s total exports, the share of inbound tourism expenditure was 7.7 percent. Inbound tourism ranked third among the biggest export items in 2017, after miscellaneous services at 34.1 percent and semiconductors at 20.9 percent.
    • Domestic tourism expenditure, which includes expenditure of resident visitors within the country either as domestic trip or part of an international trip, grew by 19.1 percent, from PhP 1,770.7 billion in 2015 to PhP 2,108.2 billion in 2017.  Domestic tourism expenditure represents 19.8 percent of the household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) in 2017.
    • Employment in tourism characteristic industries was estimated at 5.2 million in 2017, higher by 5.1 percent compared to 5.0 million in the previous year.  Share of employment in tourism industries to total employment in the country was recorded at 12.8 percent in 2017.
      The PTSA is compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) based on the international recommendations for tourism statistics and tourism satellite accounts of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

  Tourist arrivals in the Philippines grew by almost 12 percent in the first ten months of this year compared to the same span in 2016, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.
  For 2017, the DOT targets to reach 7 million tourist arrivals, higher than the 5.9 million arrivals registered in 2016. Under the National Tourism Development Plan, the DOT aims to grow the tourism sector in the next five years by reaching 12 million foreign arrivals and 89.2 million domestic travelers in 2022. This is expected to yield  around 6.5 million tourism sector employments and a ten percent GDP contribution by the end of Duterte’s (President) term.

  Here are the most popular tourist cities in Philippines in 2017
  1.Huma Island, Palawan
  2.Camiguin
  3.Coron, Palawan
  4.Batanes
  5.El Nido, Palawan
  6.Cebu City
  7.Camotes, Cebu
  8.Boracay, Aklan
  9.Lake Sebu
  10.Tagaytay

  With over 7,000 gorgeous islands to choose from, planning a trip to the Philippines in 2018 can be a rather overwhelming and mind-boggling experience for any traveler. From the breath-snatching, idyllic rolling hills of Batanes to the fabulous cascades of Lake Sebu, the Philippines has a cornucopia of awe-inspiring destinations that are worthy of a traveler’s bucket list. Whether you’re a history buff or a sun-kissed beach bum, you will find your bliss as well as ignite your innate sense of wanderlust in the Philippines.

  TourismProf.Club Author Team