The Philippines recorded approximately 5.44 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2024, reflecting an 8.7% growth compared to the previous year, according to data released by the Department of Tourism. Foreign visitors comprised 91.4% of the total arrivals, which also included overseas Filipinos.
In total, the country welcomed nearly 5.95 million arrivals from January 1 to December 31, with 510,383 of those being overseas Filipinos—individuals holding Philippine passports but residing permanently abroad. This segment saw a 14.2% year-on-year increase.
Known for its vibrant tourism offerings, the Philippines is among the few Asian nations with an extensive casino industry accessible to both locals and international visitors.
The Philippine government initially set a target of 7.7 million foreign tourist arrivals for 2024, following a strong performance in 2023.
Top Source Markets in 2024
South Korea emerged as the leading source of foreign tourists, contributing nearly 1.57 million arrivals, or 26.4% of the total, up 8.2% from 2023. The United States followed with 947,891 arrivals, accounting for 15.9% of the total, representing a 4.9% increase.
Japan ranked third with 388,316 visitors, making up 6.5% of all arrivals, reflecting a robust 27.1% year-on-year growth. Meanwhile, China provided 312,222 tourists, approximately 5.3% of total arrivals, marking an 18.3% increase compared to 2023.
Exceptional Year for Tourism Revenue
Despite falling short of its 7.7-million target, the Department of Tourism highlighted 2024 as an “exceptional” year for tourism receipts.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced that as of December 15, the country had generated PHP712 billion (approximately USD 12.26 billion) in tourism revenue, a 119% increase from PHP600.01 billion in 2019 and up from PHP697.46 billion in 2023.
The remarkable growth underscores the Philippines’ resilience and its appeal as a premier travel destination in Asia.
Tags: Christina Frasco, Philippines tourism, 2024 travel growth, Foreign Tourist Arrivals, South Korea tourists, Tourism
