Philippines anticipates a boost in domestic tourism with more long weekends this year

The tourism landscape in the Philippines is poised for a prospective uptick in the year ahead with the anticipated series of extended weekends throughout 2024.

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is optimistic that these elongated breaks serve as a potential catalyst for a substantial boost to the country’s domestic tourism sector.

“Amid the remarkable resurgence of our country’s tourism industry, characterised by 5.45 million international visitor arrivals in 2023, there’s an overwhelming sense of enthusiasm among travellers eager to make up for lost time, engaging in what has come to be known as ‘revenge travel’,” said tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

“We see these upcoming extended weekends as a timely opportunity, specifically advantageous in propelling our domestic tourism forward. (The) tourism sector remains a cornerstone in propelling our country’s economic resurgence by providing opportunities for livelihood and employment,” she added.

Based on insights from 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) noted a staggering 102 million domestic trips, contributing 1.5 trillion pesos (US$27.04 billion) to domestic tourism expenditure. Among the overall 1.87 trillion pesos in internal tourism expenditure, inclusive of spending by foreign visitors and Filipinos residing abroad, a substantial 1.5 trillion pesos was directly attributed to domestic tourism spending.

Frasco remarked: “The DoT’s optimism for a tourism resurgence fuelled by these extended weekends is underpinned by an unwavering belief in the Filipino spirit and the country’s inexhaustible selection of enchanting destinations. The invitation extended to all Filipinos is not merely to travel but to immerse themselves in the rich mosaic of experiences that the Philippines proudly offers.”