THE Department of Tourism (DOT) expects to meet its target of 6.4 million tourist arrivals this year despite higher airfares and weaker appetite for travel, Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said.
The target is slightly below last year’s 6.48 million arrivals. Mathay explained that she wanted to keep arrivals close to that level rather than set a substantially lower goal.
“I was afraid that it would go down, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think we will just reach the same level,” she said.
DOT data showed 4.4 million arrivals from January to August. Mathay said arrivals were up 3.46 percent year on year as of Oct. 6, although she did not provide the latest tally. The DOT has yet to update its dashboard.
But Mathay expects the final quarter, traditionally a strong period for tourism, to help the country meet its goal.
“If there [were] a bigger number, then I’m going to have a happy Christmas,” she said.
Mathay also pointed to easier visa access as a way to attract more visitors.
Chinese arrivals rose about 70 percent to more than 303,000 from January to August. The increase had been attributed to the 14-day visa-free entry policy introduced in January for eligible Chinese travelers, along with the restoration of direct flights between the two countries.
“There’s a direct correlation” between removing visa barriers and increased travel, she said.
Visa discussions had broad support, although one agency still needed convincing, Mathay said. She did not identify the agency.
Giselle Jordan
