MANILA, Philippines (PNA) - Despite travel advisories from several countries warning their nationals against visiting the Philippines due to alleged terrorist threats, tourist arrivals increased by 17 percent during the first ten months of the year compared to a year ago, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said. Immigration Officer-In-Charge Ronaldo Ledesma said that as of November 8, a total of 2,562,505 foreigners visited the country compared to the 2,190,114 who arrived during the same period in 2009.
Ledesma said the country is on track to hit its target of at least three million visitors in 2010 because traditionally, tourist arrivals spike during the last two months of the year when it is winter in the northern hemisphere and Europeans flock to tropical countries to escape the cold.
The immigration chief noted that the spate of negative travel advisories by foreign governments urging their citizens to avoid the Philippines hardly dented tourist arrivals.
He cited statistics for October when tourist arrivals stood at 239,465, up by almost 19,000 compared to the 220,572 registered visitors in September.
Americans still topped the list of foreign nationals who visited the country from January to October with 679,406; followed by Korean nationals with 525,564 and Japanese nationals with 331,156.
Rounding up the top 10 nationalities are Chinese nationals, 229,989; Australian, 140,238; Canadian, 116,175; British, 113,041; Taiwanese, 99,465; Malaysian, 70,107; and Singaporean nationals, 66,336.
“This is a positive sign that despite the negative travel advisories, we are succeeding in our efforts to promote the Philippines as a prime tourist and investment destination,” Ledesma said.
He said the increased tourist arrivals likewise indicate that “the confidence of the international community in the government of President Aquino is as strong as ever.”
Ledesma said the BI will continue to pursue programs to make it easier for foreign tourists and businessmen to enter and do business in the country.
He underscored the bureau’s important role in the government’s tourism efforts since immigration officers are usually the first Filipinos that foreigners encounter when they enter the country.
“We will continue to train our immigration officers so they will become true models of our vaunted Filipino traits of hospitality, courtesy and friendliness,” he added.
Manila Bulletin
