17-3-2024 (MANILA) The number of Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines has experienced a remarkable surge, increasing by 235 percent year-on-year in the first two months of 2024, according to Representative Marvin Rillo, vice chairperson of the committee on tourism in the House of Representatives. Citing data from the Philippines’ Department of Tourism, Rillo revealed that 82,314 Chinese travelers entered the country in January and February, making China the third-largest source of foreign visitors to the Southeast Asian nation.
This significant surge in Chinese visitors is viewed as a highly encouraging trend that is expected to continue in the coming months, remarked Rillo. He emphasized that such an upward trajectory will play a crucial role in facilitating the complete recovery of the labor-intensive tourism sector, resulting in the creation of numerous job opportunities for Filipinos in the service industry.
Tourism serves as a key economic driver for the Philippines, contributing significantly to its economy. In 2023, international tourism receipts soared to a staggering $8.67 billion, with over 5.4 million foreign travelers arriving in the country.
During the first two months of this year, the Philippines has already welcomed 1.09 million foreign travelers, with South Korea and the United States leading as the top two source markets.
