The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Foreigners numbering more than 1.65 million visited the Philippines in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Although the figure was fewer by 0.60 percent for the same period in 2024, DOT data showed a surge in arrivals from Japan, Canada and Australia, while significant decline was reported in tourist arrivals from South Korea, China and the United Kingdom.
Of the total arrivals, 92.7 percent or 1.53 million were foreign nationals, while 123,760, were Philippine passport holders living permanently abroad.
Compared to pre-pandemic levels, the first quarter arrivals this year were 25 percent less than the same period in 2019. But the same data showed the significant surge in arrivals of the overseas Filipinos this year, over an eightfold increase, compared to the 14,610 in the first quarter of 2019. The number of overseas Filipinos also grew by 31.3 percent from the 94,265 who arrived in the first quarter of 2024.
The largest number international tourists came from South Korea at 395,059; followed by the United States at 285,597; Japan at 125,083; Australia at 79,779; and Canada at 77,390.
Arrivals from mainland China plunged to 72,665 from the same period in 2024; followed by Taiwan at 54,439; the United Kingdom at 47,613; Singapore at 38,401; and Germany at 29,124.
Visitors from India slipped by 6.6 percent to 21,872 in the first three months of 2025, despite being now able to apply for tourist visas electronically. Filipino travel sellers recently said Indians expressed concern over the high costs of visiting the Philippines, due to no direct flights between both countries.
DOT has targeted the arrival of 8.4 million inbound tourists this year, 9-percent higher than last year’s target of 7.7 million. However, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said DOT may have to “recalibrate” its goals, with foreign tourists reaching just 5.95 million last year, missing its target by 23 percent.
Meawhile, tourism stakeholders believe the recent travel advisory the Chinese Embassy in Manila for its citizens visiting the Philippines will likely not have any impact on arrivals from mainland China.
In a recent advisory on its website, the Embassy of China in Manila warned its citizens traveling to, or already in the Philippines. to “keep a close watch” on situations that may impact on their security; “minimize non-essential outings” and refrain from going near political rallies or crowded venues; and to “remain vigilant against potential security traps and schemes.”
The Embassy claimed Chinese businesses were being harassed more frequently and there were more political demonstrations nationwide. “Chinese citizens and businesses in the Philippines are faced with higher security risk,” the Embassy stressed.