15-6-2023 (MANILA) The tourism sector played a significant role in the Philippines’ economy in 2022, with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reporting that it contributed 6.2 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). This demonstrates a remarkable recovery for an industry that was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the PSA, inbound tourism expenditure experienced the highest growth, surging from 27.63 billion pesos in 2021 to 368.67 billion pesos in 2022, equivalent to roughly 492.84 million U.S. dollars and 6.58 billion U.S. dollars, respectively. This increase in spending by foreign visitors reflects a renewed interest in the Philippines as a preferred tourist destination.
Moreover, domestic tourism expenditure also saw significant growth, soaring by an impressive 92.3 percent and reaching 1.50 trillion pesos (approximately 26.75 billion U.S. dollars). This surge in domestic tourism indicates that more Filipinos are exploring and appreciating the beauty of their own country.
The positive impact of the tourism sector extends beyond economic growth. Employment in the industry witnessed an improvement, with an estimated 5.35 million jobs generated in 2022. This figure represents a 9.3 percent increase compared to the previous year, demonstrating the sector’s ability to provide livelihood opportunities. The share of employment in tourism industries accounted for 11.4 percent of the total employment in the country in 2022.
Before the pandemic, the tourism industry was a key driver of the Philippine economy, contributing 12.7 percent to the GDP in 2019. However, the global health crisis took a heavy toll on the sector, leading to a decline in foreign arrivals and causing significant job displacement, affecting nearly 1.1 million service workers nationwide.
