The Indian market has continued to be one of the important contributors of international visitors to the Philippines. The Indian market generated 24,525 tourists during Jan-May, 2014 as against 23,365 in 2013 during the same period thus recording a growth rate of 5%.

The Philippines registered 2,061,135 international visitor arrivals during the period of Jan-May, 2014 growing at 2.47% as compared to the same months in 2013 with registered arrivals of 2,011,520. The month of May being a lean season hosted 364,598 visitors this year, which grew slightly by 0.70% relative to the 362,062 visitors the previous year. Meanwhile, the month of January received the biggest arrivals of 461,383 and posted the highest growth rate of 5.80% for the first five months of the year.

The country has been engaged in an aggressive marketing campaign since 2012. To continue this progress rate, Department of Tourism Philippines (DOT) and the Philippines Tourism Marketing Office, India, which promotes the destination in the Indian market has been participating in trade events and orgainising roadshows across India to promote the destination. The DOT held a roadshow in Kolkata in February this year. It aimed at penetrating the outbound tourist market in Kolkata and raise awareness about the Philippines’ vast portfolio of tourism products. The DOT also participated in Outbound Travel Mart (OTM), 2014 in Mumbai and Delhi to promote its 7,107 heavenly islands. The Philippines Tourism Marketing Office, India will also participate in 13th Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX 2014) scheduled on September 02-05, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The Philippines recognizes India as one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in the world. The country expects international visitor arrivals to reach 5.5 million this year and it has a target of 10 million arrivals by 2016. In order to tap the opportunities that the Indian market presents, the Philippines is currently seeking more air connectivity between major airports of the two countries.

It’s more fun in the Philippines

Crescent-shaped beaches dusted with talcum powder-like sand; uninhabited tropical islands, lush impenetrable jungles bristling with unique wildlife, the thrusting soaring capital of Manila, historic cities, a diverse local cuisine and culture …the Philippines has all this and more. Go there and discover some of the 7,107 islands of this vibrant archipelago where English is widely spoken, the people are fun loving and life moves to a lilting beat.