Tourist arrivals in RP increased by 6.6 percent in first quarter

[GLT]

Tourist arrivals in RP increased by 6.6 percent in first quarter
(philstar.com) Updated May 06, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine tourism department
reported a 6.64 percent growth on tourist arrivals in the first
quarter as the country's main tourist spots attract more foreign and
domestic visitors.

In a statement issued yesterday, the department said a total of 2.2
million tourists arrived in the country in the months of January to
March. Foreign tourist arrivals hit 697, 307, or up by 7.89 percent,
while domestic tourists increased by 6.09 percent to 1.5 million.

Metro Manila is the leading tourist destination in the country.
Tourist arrivals grew by 37.10 percent on year due to corporate
conventions and activities organized by major companies. New tourist
attractions such as the Manila Oceanarium and Newport Entertainment
City, as well as the cruise ships that docked on the Manila South
Harbor also supported the robust growth.

The second and third biggest tourist destinations - Cebu and Camarines
Sur - registered modest growth. Tourism arrivals in Cebu rose by three
percent, while that in Camarines Sur increased by 1.07 percent.

Tourist arrivals in Boracay Island, one of the world's renown beaches,
increased by 20.3 percent to 190,094. Foreign tourists, led by
Koreans, account for 42 percent of total arrivals in the first
quarter.

The department also noted a significant increase in the arrival of
Chinese tourists in Boracay. Tourist arrivals increased by 25 percent
to 7,279. The Lunar New Year in February spurred the growth in the
arrivals, the department said.

Chinese tourists also led the growth in tourism in Bohol - a central
Philippine province known for its beach resorts and nature reserves.
The department said Chinese tourists account for 19 percent of the
total 26,684 foreign tourists that arrived in Bohol in the first
quarter.

Tourist volume in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan increased by 23
percent to 73,986. Domestic tourists account for 90 percent of total
arrivals. The department attribute this to the promotions done by both
the local and national government units in relation to the search for
New Seven Wonders of Nature. This competition was organized by the
Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation which aims to contribute to the
protection of the world's human-built and natural heritage and to
foster respect for our planet's diversity.

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