The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said 3 million tourists visited the country last year, two million less of the 5 million target.

Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Payabyab said the global recession affected inbound travel last year. He also cited the typhoons’ negative effects on the country’s tourism. But he said “increased arrivals from China and Taiwan have enabled the country to make up for the loss.”

He said Baguio alone lost 2,000 domestic visitors due to floods and landslides last October but the Maguindanao massacre could not have stopped foreign tourists as they already booked their flights.

“But it may have discouraged those who were still planning their vacations,” he said.

Among local destinations, Cebu City drew the biggest number of visitors followed by Camarines Sur. The third most favored destination was Baguio City and the rest of the Cordillera Autonomous Region. Other favorites were Bohol and Palawan, which both achieved double-digit growth in domestic tourism, inquirer.net reported.

Bicol was visited by over one million local tourists in the first nine months of 2009. The recent activity of Mayon volcano drew in more local and foreign tourists to the region.

Malacanang, however, said improved facilities, better infrastructure and a liberalized airline industry lured more tourists to visit the Philippines in 2009, with domestic tourism and foreign tourism increasing due to efforts of the government and the private sector to provide tourism infrastructure and facilities.

For the past five years, a total of P555 billion worth of investment went to the development of transportation, tourism eco-zones, accommodation and other related facilities.

DOT said it will further escalate tourism investment promotions and encourage establishments to build more hotels and other facilities.

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