Philippine tourism revenues surpass pre-pandemic levels in January

The Philippine Division of Tourism (DOT) reported on Thursday, sixth March, that the nation earned US$1.1 billion in tourism revenues in January 2025.

The quantity exceeds ranges earned previous to 2020, the 12 months the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe.

As of twenty eighth February, the nation earned considerably from numerous merchandise and actions associated to tourism, the whole being larger by 136.1 p.c than the whole seen in January 2019.

Tourism secretary Christina Frasco remarked: “The restoration of Philippine tourism from the interval of the pandemic by way of revenues interprets to hundreds of jobs created for Filipinos, offering livelihood alternatives for a lot of, particularly in our rural and underserved areas.”

Key findings

The Philippines’ tourism revenue grew by 71.4 p.c, in comparison with the US$652.3 million recorded in January of final 12 months.

Tourism income in Philippine pesos surged by 78.81 p.c from the PHP36.5 billion recorded in January 2024.

Frasco added that the nation’s tourism sector achieved an all-time excessive tourism income of roughly PHP760 billion in 2024.

As of 1st March, a complete of 1,167,908 overseas vacationers have already visited the nation within the first two months of this 12 months.

Round 25.31 p.c of overseas arrivals got here from South Korea which has been the nation’s high tourism supply market since 2023.

The USA got here in second with 229,836 vacationers; Japan in third with 83,208; Canada in fourth with 65,145; and Australia in fifth with 61,564.