Philippine Tourism Booms for 1st Half of 2009

While some vacation destinations have been struggling to maintain a stable flow of tourism, in the Philippines, the tourism industry actually saw an increase of 16.5%. In an atmosphere that is challenging to say the least, how is this region achieving such impressive numbers?

It is true that there have been great opportunities in traveling to international and domestic markets, thanks to a huge push by the Department of Tourism. In the face of economic downtrends and infectious disorders such as the H1N1 flu, there was a definite need for some encouragement and it appears to have done the trick.

Indeed, it appears that domestic travel within the Philippines has been the major contributor to the increase in tourism. The second quarter of the 2009 year saw heightened confidence in business and investing factions in the country, and the changing habits of the Philippine population reflected that confidence. Spending Holy Week, vacations through the summer as well as over holidays and even directing weekend travel to the top sixteen tourist destinations was attributed to a large percentage of the increase. However, 6% of the tourism in these popular locations came from foreign arrivals during the first six months of 2009, showing external interest in the region as well.

With the added interest in tourism for these destinations, demand for local products and activities saw an increase. Tours of islands, cultural experiences, river cruises, nature tours and adventures and entertainment options were developed and provided new opportunities for employment as well as enhanced vacation experiences for the tourists. From educational odysseys to fantasy parks to adventure tourism, the Philippines is becoming a force to be reckoned with on the tourist front.

According to results from a survey conducted by the TNS in the first half of the year, a 62.8% increase was realized in the dive industry of the Bohol, Cebu, Mindoro Oriental and Batangas regions of the Philippines. Even greater enthusiasm for the sport was shown in arenas of Germany and Korea, with lesser but still encouraging increases seen in the American, Japanese and Chinese markets.

Even more growth is expected during the second half of 2009, especially with continued expansion of products and facilities in the Philippines. This is great news in the wake of a resurging global economy.