BI records over 19M travelers last year

Over 19 million inbound and outbound travelers were recorded in 2024.

Based on the figures from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), a total of 14,540,533 passengers arrived in the country last year.

Of the number, 7,922,052 are Filipinos while 6,618,481 are foreign nationals.

It also recorded a total of 15,050,136 individuals who have departed from the country, majority of them are Filipinos numbering 8,348,283.

Foreign departures, on the other hand, are at 6,701,853.

Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado attributed the robust numbers to the resurgence of international travel and the Philippines’ appeal as a premier destination, as a result of the Department of Tourism’s aggressive campaign to re-invite foreign tourists back to the country.

“These figures reflect a thriving travel industry and highlight the Philippines’ growing reputation as a global hub for tourism and business,” he said in a statement Tuesday.

At the same time, the Bureau noted its vigilance in combating human trafficking has also contributed to maintaining the Philippines’ Tier 1 status in the 2024 US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report. It exposed schemes involving fake pilgrimages, mail-order brides, and illegal surrogacy.

The BI’s immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-PROBES) reported a total of 998 trafficking victims referred to the inter-agency council against trafficking, as well as 215 Filipinos referred to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for illegal recruitment.

He also reported the barring of 140 sex offenders from entering the country.

In collaboration with government agencies, the BI has remained steadfast in addressing child exploitation and abuse.

This year, report mechanisms such as the Commissioner’s helpline as well as the Makabata Helpline 1383 of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) were launched to report cases involving foreign nationals suspected of crimes against children.

Other notable accomplishments include the inauguration of three additional forensic document laboratories at major international airports, bringing the total to six.

These facilities bolster border security by ensuring the authenticity of travel documents and support immigration offices nationwide.
The BI also prioritized partnerships with government agencies, enhancing interoperability and data sharing to create a seamless framework for addressing illegal activities and improving border management. PNA