THE Philippines has seen a significant increase in arrivals from overseas as the threat of COVID-19 eases, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Tuesday.
From January to August 2023, the BI processed a total of 8,117,286 Filipino and foreign passengers, compared to 2,873,423 in the same period in 2022.
“We are getting there,” said Tansingco.
“The significant increase in arriving passengers shows that tourism and international travel are already on the rebound,” he added.
Tansingco said that arrivals could reach more than 4 million for the last quarter of the year.
Last week, the Department of Tourism announced that the country welcomed 4,005,465 visitors from January to September 29, 2023.
Of this figure, 91.58%, or 3,668,039, are foreigners, and 8.42%, or 337,426, are overseas Filipinos.
South Korea emerged as the country’s top source market, with 1,046,176 tourists.
”We are very close to our target of 4.8 million by the end of this year. Kaya naman po (That is why) I continue to encourage our friends from all over the world to show their love for the Philippines,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.
