The Philippines, which was recognized as Asia’s premier beach destination at the World Travel Awards, welcomed 1.16 million international visitors during the initial two-month period, showing a slight increase compared to the corresponding timeframe of the previous year.
During this period, South Korea maintained its position as the top country of origin for travelers to the Philippines, with 295,000 visitors making up 25% of all international arrivals. Philstar reported.
In second place was the United States with 229,836 visitors, trailed by Japan with 83,208, Canada with 65,145, and Australia with 61,564.
The remaining ones were from mainland China, Taiwan, the U.K., Singapore, and France.
"An increase in revenue for Philippines tourism indicates that the sector is not just recovering from the pandemic but is also transforming and growing, playing a crucial role in ensuring the nation’s economic steadiness and advancement," stated Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco.
The Philippines, boasting a coastline longer than 36,000 kilometers, received the title of "Asia's Leading Beach Destination" at the 2024 World Travel Awards.
During the initial two months of this year, Thailand saw approximately 7 million international tourists, whereas Vietnam hosted around 3.96 million foreign travelers.