The Philippines remains heavily reliant on domestic tourism, with local travelers accounting for 82% of total tourism expenditures, according to a report by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD).
Tourism spending grew 13% to ₱3.86 trillion in 2024, driven mainly by local travelers, while foreign tourist spending barely increased to ₱700 billion.
International arrivals rose by 9% to 5.95 million in 2024 but fell short of the government’s 7.7 million target, largely due to the slow recovery of visitors from China and South Korea.
Foreign arrivals declined by 1% in the first half of 2025, putting the government’s goal of 8.4 million arrivals at risk.
To boost international tourism, authorities are negotiating increased flights with South Korea, and carriers are expanding international routes, but the country’s tourism sector still depends heavily on domestic travel.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 4, 2025
