Tourism in the Philippines

Palawan, which includes Coron, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Tourism is an important sector for the Philippine economy. The travel and tourism industry contributed 8.6% to the country's GDP in 2023; ^[1] this was lower than the 12.7% recorded in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns. ^[2] Coastal tourism, encompassing beach and diving activities, constitutes 25% of the Philippines' tourism revenue, serving as its primary income source in the sector. ^[3] Popular destinations among tourists include Boracay, Palawan, Cebu and Siargao. While the Philippines has encountered political and social challenges that have affected its tourism industry, the country has also taken steps to address these issues. ^[4] Over the past years, there have been efforts to improve political stability, enhance security measures, and promote social inclusivity, all of which contribute to creating a more favorable environment for tourism, such as the Boracay rehabilitation. ^[5]

As of 2023, 6.21 million Filipinos were employed in the tourism industry ^[1] and as of September 2023, the Philippines generated ₱316.9 billion ($5.5 billion) in revenue from tourists, coming mostly from South Korea, the United States and Japan. ^[6] The country attracted a total of 5,360,682 foreign visitors in 2015 through its tourism campaign of It's More Fun in the Philippines! ^[7] In 2019, foreign arrivals peaked at 8,260,913. ^[8]

The country is also home to one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and one of the New 7 Wonders Cities, the Heritage City of Vigan. It is also home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered in nine different locations, three UNESCO biosphere reserves, three UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, four UNESCO memory of the world documentary heritage, three UNESCO creative cities, two UNESCO World Heritage cities, seven Ramsar wetland sites, and eight ASEAN Heritage Parks. ^[7]

Overview

In 2011, the administration of President Noynoy Aquino through his Department of Tourism (DOT) recorded 3.9 million tourists visiting the country, ^[9] 11.2% higher than the 3.5 million registered in 2010. Tourist arrivals jumped to 4.27 million in 2012, after the Aquino government launched a widely publicized tourism marketing campaign entitled "It's More Fun In the Philippines", which became an international success. ^[10]

The 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum ranked the Philippines 79th out of 136 countries overall. The country's best-rated features were price competitiveness (22nd) and natural resources (37th). ^[11]

The tourism industry employed 3.8 million Filipinos, or 10.2% of the nations employment, in 2011. ^[12]

The official heritage properties of the Philippines are listed under the National Government's Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP), ^[13] Pinagmulan: Enumeration from the Philippine Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, ^[14] and the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). ^{[15] [16]} Properties registered among those lists are heralded as possible nominations to the UNESCO World Heritage List, where at least 16 declarations containing 19 properties have been recognized by UNESCO through its 4 different lists (UNESCO World Heritage List, ^[17] UNESCO Memory of the World Register, ^[18] UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, ^[19] and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Registry). ^[20]

History

Some of the carvings in the Angono Petroglyphs, the oldest rock art in the Philippines and UNESCO Tentative Site

Callao Cave, a paleolithic site in the Cagayan Valley where the 67,000-year old Callao Man was found and a UNESCO Tentative Site

Tourism in the Philippines traces its origins during the ancient times when the first set of people chose to migrate through land bridges, followed by the other sets of migrations from the Malayan archipelago in the south and Taiwan in the north. Trade also became part of the tourism as Arabs, Indians, Japanese, Chinese, Malays, and other ethnic groups in mainland Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Ryukyu traded goods with the natives. When the islands became part of the territory of Spain, an influx of Spanish people migrated into the country, though still few compared to the Spanish migrations in South America as the Philippines was farther from Spain.^{[ citation needed ]}

The tourism industry flourished during the late 19th to early 20th century due to the influx of immigrants from Europe and the United States. It was listed as one of the best countries to visit in Asia aside from Hong Kong and Japan, earning the nickname "Pearl of the Orient Seas". The tourism declined during and after the World War II, leaving the country with a completely devastated economy, and a landscape filled with destroyed heritage towns. The second wave of tourist influx flourished in the 1950s but declined drastically during the dictatorship era. After the People Power Revolution, the tourism industry continued to decline due to the domino effect caused by the Marcos dictatorship. The industry only managed to cope in 1991 and 1992, where 1.2 million tourists visited the Philippines. It afterwards waned again after a decade due to corrupt practices in government.^{[ citation needed ]}

The tourism industry flourished again at the early part of the 2010s under the "It's More Fun in the Philippines" slogan of the administration of President Noynoy Aquino, which was regarded as an international success. The country saw an influx of foreign tourists, with the aid of social media and the creative tagline. Tourism reached its peak in 2015 with 5,360,682 foreign tourists arrivals recorded. ^[21] The industry continued to grow in 2017, but the growth rate from Western tourists decreased due to the drug war. ^[22]

8,260,913 international visitors arrived from January to December 2019, up by 15.24% for the same period in 2018. ^[23] 58.62% (4,842,774) of these came from East Asia, 15.84% (1,308,444) came from North America, and 6.38% (526,832) came from other ASEAN countries. ^[24]

The tourism industry was severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, when tourist arrivals dropped to only 1.48 million in 2020 due to government pandemic-related lockdowns to control the spread of the virus, ^[25] and when Super Typhoon Odette ravaged tourism-dependent remote islands, including Siargao, in central and southern Philippines in December 2021. ^[26] The country was reopened to international tourists starting February 10, 2022, after nearly two years of border closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[27]

Government initiatives since 2018

Further information: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism

Under the National Tourism Development Plan (NDTP), the Duterte administration set aside $23 billion to develop tourist infrastructure that was "not only sustainable and highly competitive in the region, but also socially responsible to propel inclusive growth". ^[28] In 2018, the Department of Tourism recorded 7.1 million foreign tourists to the Philippines that year, despite the closure of popular destination Boracay for cleanup. ^[29] A total of 8.26 million international tourists visited the country throughout 2019, breaking the department's record and exceeding the NDTP target. ^[30]

In January 2021, the Department of Public Works and Highways reported ₱120 billion was allocated from 2016 to 2021 for the construction and improvement of 4,147 km (2,577 mi) of roads leading to tourist destinations, of which 2,168 km (1,347 mi) were completed. ^[31] Following a decline in tourism due to a COVID-19 border closure of two years, the administration reopened the Philippines to international tourists ^[27] and stopped requiring RT-PCR tests of fully-vaccinated passengers upon arrival. ^[32]

Statistics

Country visitor statistics

Rank	Country	Oct 2024 [33]	2023 [34]	2022 [35]	2021 [36]	2020 [37]	2019 [38]	2018 [39]	2017 [40]	2016 [41]	2015 [42]	2014 [43]	2013 [44]	2012 [45]	2011 [46]	2010 [47]
1	South Korea	1,316,552	1,439,336	428,014	6,456	338,877	1,989,322	1,587,959	1,607,821	1,475,081	1,339,678	1,175,472	1,165,789	1,031,155	925,204	740,622
2	United States	764,124	903,299	505,089	39,326	211,816	1,064,440	1,034,396	957,813	869,463	779,217	722,750	674,564	652,626	624,527	600,165
3	Japan	321,913	305,580	99,557	15,024	136,664	682,788	631,801	884,180	635,238	495,662	463,744	433,705	412,474	375,496	358,744
4	China	280,301	263,836	39,627	9,674	170,432	1,743,309	1,255,258	968,447	675,663	490,841	394,951	426,352	250,883	243,137	187,446
5	Australia	208,727	266,551	137,974	2,184	55,330	286,170	279,821	259,433	251,098	241,187	224,784	213,023	191,150	170,736	147,649
6	Taiwan	183,117	194,851	23,604	1,619	48,644	327,273	240,842	236,777	229,303	177,670	142,973	139,099	216,511	181,738	142,455
7	Canada	177,571	221,920	121,413	6,781	55,273	238,850	226,429	300,640	175,631	153,363	143,899	131,381	123,699	117,423	106,345
8	Singapore*	128,812	149,230	53,448	653	19,998	158,595	171,795	168,637	176,057	181,176	179,099	175,034	148,215	137,802	121,083
9	United Kingdom	128,660	154,698	101,034	4,348	39,980	209,206	301,039	282,708	173,229	154,189	133,665	122,759	113,282	104,466	96,925
10	Malaysia*	80,892	97,639	46,805	1,620	23,359	139,882	145,242	143,566	139,133	155,814	139,245	109,437	114,513	91,752	79,694
11	Hong Kong SAR	66,652	80,512	8,589	354	12,444	91,653	117,992	111,135	116,328	122,180	114,100	126,008	118,666	112,106	133,746
12	India	66,622	70,286	51,542	7,202	29,014	134,963	121,124	107,278	90,816	74,824	61,152	52,206	46,395	42,844	34,581
13	Germany	62,864	74,731	39,013	2,037	25,893	103,756	92,098	85,431	86,363	75,348	72,801	70,949	67,023	61,193	58,725
14	Vietnam*	51,225	67,661	38,605	1,785	11,406	66,698	52,334	39,951	33,895	31,579	29,800	26,599	20,817	17,781	17,311
15	Indonesia*	49,478	53,707	24,596	1,888	13,734	70,819	76,652	62,923	44,348	48,178	46,757	45,582	36,627	34,542	31,997
16	France	48,617	51,601	23,949	1,425	24,530	88,577	74,400	64,777	55,384	45,505	38,946	39,042	33,709	29,591	27,302
17	Thailand*	38,628	40,952	16,300	1,464	9,788	61,292	59,793	48,727	47,913	44,038	45,943	47,874	40,987	37,862	36,713
18	Spain	37,020	34,063	19,194	1,220	9,621	49,748	44,133	36,954	32,097	24,144	19,353	17,126	15,895	14,648	12,759
19	United Arab Emirates	33,717	33,769	2,084	2,733	2,518	10,192	15,402	16,399	17,634	16,881	17,000	15,155	12,684	13,404	12,734
20	Guam	30,787	35,501	2,875	644	2,882	19,835	32,357	36,637	38,777	35,262	38,016	42,204	42,695	41,013	40,928
21	Netherlands	27,259	31,956	19,306	1,510	8,961	41,313	37,051	33,821	31,876	28,632	25,236	22,595	22,195	21,029	19,227
22	Italy	21,863	22,496	12,933	1,212	8,976	38,951	35,182	30,437	25,945	21,620	19,865	17,668	16,740	15,798	16,350
23	New Zealand	20,852	29,272	17,503	345	6,883	37,872	33,341	28,983	23,431	20,579	17,704	15,783	14,100	12,782	11,323
24	Switzerland	20,833	24,048	11,092	598	7,094	29,966	31,075	29,837	29,420	27,200	25,548	24,907	23,557	22,335	21,224
25	Russia	20,271	23,104	8,040	1,027	12,643	36,111	29,967	33,279	28,210	25,278	32,087	35,404	28,270	20,185	14,642
26	Saudi Arabia	18,850	19,311	10,414	2,252	7,014	43,748	46,967	54,716	56,081	50,884	43,483	38,969	30,040	27,945	22,214
27	Norway	15,233	20,000	12,004	508	4,365	23,464	23,571	21,890	21,606	20,968	20,846	20,625	19,572	17,959	16,742
28	Sweden	13,356	16,789	9,389	508	6,996	27,892	28,085	27,703	26,062	23,206	21,861	22,957	21,807	17,973	15,510
29	Ireland	13,088	16,379	12,009	600	3,621	21,475	20,051	18,051	16,557	14,050	12,354	10,576	8,362	6,023	5,368
30	Israel	12,159	13,334	9,711	452	4,745	22,851	20,343	17,446	16,725	11,756	8,776	7,675	5,895	4,990	4,525
31	Belgium	12,003	14,459	8,961	648	3,756	19,156	17,285	15,703	14,477	12,825	12,236	11,454	11,649	10,959	10,512
32	Myanmar*	8,405	6,395	4,255	271	2,877	13,978	9,630	9,571	7,442	7,033	6,633	4,948	4,290	3,246	3,983
33	Brunei*	4,824	6,639	1,884	37	1,037	8,126	9,533	8,679	8,211	9,015	9,677	8,297	5,992	5,247	4,072
34	Cambodia*	3,238	3,999	1,454	40	942	5,988	4,154	4,712	3,526	3,503	3,276	3,228	2,661	2,469	2,244
35	Laos*	898	988	495	15	203	1,454	1,183	1,580	1,173	1,231	1,056	1,062	1,088	971	1,079
	All Countries	4,879,022	5,450,557	2,653,858	163,879	1,482,535	8,260,913	7,168,467	6,620,908	5,967,005	5,360,682	4,833,368	4,681,307	4,272,811	3,917,454	3,520,471

* Country in ASEAN

Annual statistics (Foreign arrivals)

Year	Arrivals [48]	Change
1996	1,049,367
1997	1,222,523	16.5%
1998	1,149,357	5.9%
1999	1,170,514	1.8%
2000	1,992,169	70.1%
2001	1,796,893 [48]	9.8%
2002	1,932,677 [48]	7.5%
2003	1,907,226 [48]	1.3%
2004	2,291,352 [48]	20.1%
2005	2,623,084 [48]	14.4%
2006	2,843,335 [49]	8.3%
2007	3,091,993 [50]	8.7%
2008	3,139,422 [51]	1.5%
2009	3,017,099 [52]	3.8%
2010	3,520,471 [53]	16.6%
2011	3,917,454 [54]	11.2%
2012	4,272,811 [55]	9.0%
2013	4,681,307 [56]	9.5%
2014	4,833,368 [57]	3.2%
2015	5,360,682 [58]	10.9%
2016	5,967,005 [59]	11.3%
2017	6,620,908 [60]	10.9%
2018	7,168,467 [61]	8.2%
2019	8,260,913 [62]	15.2%
2020	1,482,535 [63]	82.0%
2021	163,879 [64]	88.9%
2022	2,653,858 [65]	1519.4%
2023	5,450,557 [66]	105.3%
Oct 2024	4,879,022 [67]

Regional statistics (2023)

REGION	Foreign	OFW	Domestic	Total	Tourist Destinations
NCR (National Capital Region)	2,355,069	5,827	4,666,549	7,027,445	Parañaque, Makati, Pasay, Quezon City, Taguig, Manila, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong, San Juan
CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)	29,821	775	1,654,537	1,685,133	Baguio, Banaue, Kalinga
Region I (ILOCOS REGION)	43,454	500	1,785,166	1,829,120	Laoag, Vigan, La Union, Alaminos, Bolinao
Region II (CAGAYAN VALLEY)	9,297	41	953,684	963,022	Santiago, Batanes
Region III (CENTRAL LUZON)	642,901	2,002	4,699,577	5,344,480	Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Baler, Bataan
Region IV-A CALABARZON	113,190	3,975	9,288,101	9,405,266	Tagaytay, Nasugbu, Antipolo, Calamba
MIMAROPA	780,637	11,761	1,525,171	2,317,569	El Nido, Puerto Princesa, Coron, Puerto Galera, San Vicente
Region V (BICOL REGION)	78,562	1,314	4,283,312	4,363,188	Naga, Legazpi City
Region VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)	550,357	51,268	4,758,433	5,360,058	Boracay, Iloilo City, Guimaras, Antique, Roxas City, Bacolod City
Region VII (CENTRAL VISAYAS)	1,870,607	4,232	3,611,104	5,485,943	Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Panglao, Mandaue, Moalboal, Oslob, Bantayan Island, San Juan, Dumaguete City
Region VIII (EASTERN VISAYAS)	26,219	826	1,307,203	1,334,248	Tacloban
Region IX (ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA)	13,412	84	1,278,817	1,292,313	Dipolog, Zamboanga City
Region X (NORTHERN MINDANAO)	38,784	20	2,557,066	2,595,870	Cagayan de Oro
Region XI (DAVAO REGION)	93,015	10,459	3,124,561	3,228,035	Davao City, Samal
Region XII (SOCCSSARGEN)	5,713	2	1,632,370	1,638,085	General Santos
Region XIII (CARAGA)	63,255		1,396,944	1,460,199	Siargao
GRAND TOTAL	6,714,293	93,086	48,522,595	55,329,974

Source: REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF OVERNIGHT TRAVELERS

Attractions

Main article: List of tourist attractions in the Philippines

See also: Philippine Registry of Cultural Property, Wildlife of the Philippines, and List of protected areas of the Philippines

Boracay Island in Aklan

Summit of Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines

The island of Luzon is considered the political and economic center of the Philippines. The economy of Luzon is centered in Metro Manila, the national capital region. Manila was ranked 11th most attractive city for American shoppers out of 25 Asia Pacific cities by a Global Blue survey in 2012. ^[68] Shopping malls can be found around the metropolis, especially in the business and financial districts of Makati, Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City.^{[ citation needed ]}

The most popular destinations in the Visayas are Cebu and Boracay known for their white sand beaches and has been favorite island destinations for local and foreign visitors. ^{[69] [70]} In 2012, Boracay received the "best island" award from the international travel magazine Travel + Leisure . ^{[71] [72]} Boracay is also a popular destination for relaxation, tranquility and an exciting nightlife. ^[73] In 2018, three Philippine islands, Siargao Island, Boracay, and Palawan, were listed on Condé Nast Traveler's list of Asia's best islands. The three islands were ranked first, second, and third, respectively. ^[74]

Mindanao, the southernmost island of the Philippines, is home to the country's highest mountain, Mount Apo. The mountain has become a popular hiking destination for mountain climbers. ^[75] On average, it takes two days to reach the summit. The mountain has a wide range of flora and fauna, including over 272 bird species, 111 of which are endemic to the area, including the national bird, the Philippine eagle. ^[76]

Immovable Tangible Heritage

Main articles: List of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines, List of Ramsar sites in the Philippines, ASEAN Heritage Parks, and List of protected areas of the Philippines

Batad Rice Terraces, part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, a World Heritage Site

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site and Future Policy Awardee for marine resource management

The Philippines has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered in nine different locations: Vigan, Baroque Churches of the Philippines (comprising Santa Maria Church, Paoay Church, San Agustin Church, Miagao Church), Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras which includes five different rice terrace clusters, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary. ^[17]

There country has one UNESCO World Heritage City, Vigan, ^[78] and three UNESCO Creative Cities, (Baguio, Cebu City, and Iloilo City). ^[79] There are three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (Palawan Biosphere Reserve, Albay Biosphere Reserve, and Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve), ^[20] and eight ASEAN Heritage Parks (Mount Apo National Park, ^[80] Mounts Iglit–Baco National Park, ^[80] Mount Kitanglad National Park, ^[81] Mount Makiling National Park, ^[82] Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, ^[83] Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary, ^[83] and Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument). ^[84]

Movable Tangible Heritage

See also: Philippine Registry of Cultural Property, Archaeology of the Philippines, and Art of the Philippines

The Philippines possesses numerous significant movable tangible heritage, both in cultural and natural terms. Many are declared as national treasures and are highly protected by the law. The country has four documentary heritage inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, namely, the José Maceda Collection, Philippine Paleographs (Hanunoo, Buhid, Tagbanua, and Pala’wan), Presidential Papers of Manuel L. Quezon, and Radio Broadcast of the Philippine People Power Revolution. Many of the cultural objects of the country are housed in government and private museums and libraries throughout the archipelago, such as the National Museum of the Philippines and the National Library of the Philippines. Aside from movable heritage under Philippine possession, there are also Philippine-originated artifacts and art pieces that have been looted or bought by foreigners and are now housed by other countries. Such pieces include the Golden Tara, the two existing copies of Doctrina Cristiana, the Boxer Codex, and many others.^{[ citation needed ]}

Intangible Heritage

Main article: Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Philippines

The country currently possesses at least three UNESCO intangible cultural heritage elements, one of which, the Hudhud Epic Chants of the Ifugao, was declared by UNESCO as one of the eleven great traditions of humanity. ^[85] The other two elements inscribed by UNESCO are the Darangen Chant of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao ^[86] and the Punnuk tug-of-war Game of the Ifugao. ^[87] Education concerning Philippine mythology is also a notable intangible heritage of the country. ^[88]

Filipino cuisine

Main articles: Filipino cuisine and List of Philippine dishes

A selection of dishes found in Filipino cuisine

Filipino cuisine is the polymerization of 144 distinct cuisines in the Philippines, coming from separate ethno-linguistic groups. The style of cooking and the food associated with it have evolved over many centuries from their Austronesian origins (shared with Malaysian and Indonesian cuisines) to a mixed cuisine of Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and American influences, in line with the major waves of influence that had enriched the cultures of the archipelago, as well as others adapted to indigenous ingredients and the local palate. Well-known Filipino food include adobo, sinigang, kare-kare, pinakbet, lumpia, pancit, lechon, sisig, halo-halo, pandesal, puto, chicharrón, bibingka, dinengdeng, suman, and balut. Adobo and ube are the most internationally known. ^[89]

Tourism activities

Beaching and diving

Main article: List of beaches in the Philippines

A beach in El Nido, Palawan

Baybay Boulevard during the Miss Earth Philippines 2024 Beachwear Competitions

Various beaches in the Philippines have landed in multiple magazine rankings. Among the most popular beach and diving choices in the country include Boracay, El Nido, Coron, Cebu, and Siargao. ^[90] In 2018, Canadian-based travel agency Flight Network listed Hidden Beach in Palawan (No. 1) as the best beach in all of Asia. The beach was also cited by Travel+Leisure as among the 13 places to see the bluest water in the world. Other beaches ranked from the Philippines were Guyam White Sand Beach in Siargao (No. 13), Palaui Beach in Cagayan Valley (No. 22), Caramoan Island Beach in Camarines Sur (No. 29), Dahican Beach in Mati, Davao Oriental (No. 41), Gumasa Beach in Sarangani (No. 45), Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol (No. 46), Kalanggaman Island in Cebu (No. 49), and Paliton Beach in Siquijor (No. 50). ^[91]

Hiking

Further information: List of mountains in the Philippines

Chocolate Hills, a geologic natural monument in Bohol and a UNESCO Tentative Site

Among the most famous hiking areas in the country are Mount Apo, Mount Pinatubo, Mount Halcon, Mount Banahaw, Mount Makiling, and Mount Pulag. An Online magazine, Culture Trip, cited Mount Batulao in Batangas, Masungi Georeserve in Rizal, Tarak Ridge in Bataan, Mount Daraitan and Maynoba in Rizal, Kibungan Circuit in Benguet, and Mount Pulag in Nueva Vizcaya for having the most spectacular hiking trails in the country in 2017. ^[92]

Research and education

See also: List of protected areas of the Philippines and Philippine mythology

The University of Santo Tomas possesses the oldest extant university charter in Asia.

Due to the country's diverse flora and fauna, researchers from around the world have visited various biodiversity sites in Philippine environmental corridors. Among the big draws for environmental researchers are Mount Mantalingajan, Sibuyan Island, Dinagat Islands, Mount Hamiguitan, Central Panay Mountain Range, Verde Island Passage, Tubbataha Reef, Mount Malindang, Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, and Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi. Many local and foreign archaeologists and anthropologists have also visited the country's archaeological sites, such as Cagayan Valley, Butuan, Tabon Cave, Callao Cave, Banton, Ifugao, Cebu, Lanao del Sur, and many others.^{[ citation needed ]}

Visitors seeking graduate degrees or reviewer sessions^{[ clarification needed ]} in the Philippines usually come from India, South Korea, and Palau. Language schools with English language programs are also popular among Asian foreigners from South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Japan. Government-approved institutions that teach Philippine mythology and suyat scripts, such as baybayin, have also become popular among locals and foreigners.^{[ citation needed ]}

Arts and crafts tourism

Main article: Art of the Philippines

Baguio, UNESCO Creative City

Arts and crafts tourism in the Philippines has recently expanded following several attempts to establish a cultural renaissance. The country was conferred its first UNESCO Creative City through Baguio in 2016. Other arts and crafts centers are in Manila, Quezon City, San Fernando City, Iloilo City, Angono, Santiago, Cebu City, Basey, Davao City, Lake Sebu, Angeles City, Vigan, Basco, Zamboanga City, Marawi, Tugaya, Cotabato City, Sariaya, Tagbilaran, and Dumaguete.

Pilgrimage

Further information: Baroque Churches of the Philippines and List of mosques in the Philippines

Taal Basilica, the largest church in Asia

The Philippines is the Catholic pilgrimage capital of Asia, possessing hundreds of olden churches, most of which were established between the 15th to 19th centuries through the earthquake baroque architecture. Historic mosques, temples, and indigenous places of worship such as dambanas are also present throughout the country. Popular pilgrimage sites in the country include Paoay Church, Quiapo Church, Manaoag Church, Taal Basilica, and Naga Cathedral.

Festivals

Main article: List of festivals in the Philippines

Participants at the Ati-Atihan festival

The country has thousands of festivals, most of which are annual spectacles. Each of the festivals, locally known as fiesta, have different traditions at play, and may be religious or secular in nature. Among the most popular include the Ati-Atihan Festival of Aklan, Sinulog Festival of Cebu, the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo, the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio, the Moriones Festival of Marinduque, and the MassKara Festival of Bacolod. ^[93]

Protection and restoration

Main article: Culture of the Philippines

Villanueva Building (Calle Real) in Iloilo City

The Philippines has numerous heritage towns and cities, but many of these were intentionally destroyed by the Japanese through fire tactics in World War II and by the Americans through bombings during the same war. After the war, the government of the Empire of Japan did not provide funds to the Philippines for the restoration of the heritage towns they destroyed, effectively destroying any chances of restoration; since the pre-war Philippines' economy was devastated and had limited financial resources. Furthermore, the United States gave minimal funding for only two of the hundreds of cities they destroyed: Manila and Baguio. Today, only the centers (poblacion^{[ clarification needed ]} or downtown areas) remain in most of the expansive heritage cities and towns in the country.^{[ citation needed ]}

Vigan, a World Heritage Site

However some heritage cities still exist in their pre-war state, such as the UNESCO city of Vigan which was the only heritage town saved from American bombing and Japanese fire and kamikaze tactics. The country currently lacks a city/town-singular^{[ clarification needed ]} architectural style law.^{[ citation needed ]} Due to this, unaesthetic cement or shanty structures have taken over heritage buildings, destroying many former heritage townscapes. Some heritage buildings have been demolished or sold to corporations, and have been replaced by commercial structures such as shopping centers, condominium units, or newly-furnished modern-style buildings, completely destroying the old aesthetics of many former heritage towns and cities.^{[ citation needed ]} Only the heritage city of Vigan has a town law that guarantees that its unique architecture (the Vigan colonial style) shall always be used in constructions and reconstructions. However Silay, Iloilo City, and San Fernando de Pampanga have ordinances giving certain tax exemptions to owners of heritage houses. ^[94] In 2010, the Philippine Cultural Heritage Act passed into law, protecting all cultural heritage properties of the Philippines. ^[95] Nevertheless, many ancestral home owners continue to approve the demolition of ancestral structures.^{[ citation needed ]}

Visa policy

Main article: Visa policy of the Philippines

The visa policy of the Philippines is governed by Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the Philippine Immigration Act, and by subsequent legislation amending it. The Act is jointly enforced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Generally, foreign nationals who wish to enter the Philippines require a visa unless:

• He/she is a citizen of a member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
• He/she is a citizen of a non-ASEAN member state whose nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free
• He/she is a balikbayan and is only returning to the Philippines temporarily

Nationals of 157 foreign countries are visa-free for 14 days, 30 days, or 59 days. Of more than 200 countries and territories, 39 need visas to enter the Philippines. ^{[96] [97]}

Immigration and customs

Entry guidelines for temporary visitors

Nationals traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines obtaining visa on arrival for a stay not exceeding 30 days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination. However, immigration officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least sixty days beyond the intended period of stay. ^[98]

Customs

Upon arriving, visitors are allowed to bring in duty-free personal belongings, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol. Exceeding this is illegal. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the embassy or consulate in their home city. ^[98]

Currency regulations

It is illegal for any incoming or outgoing passenger to bring in or out Philippine pesos in excess of P10,000.00 without prior authority from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Any violation of this rule may lead to its seizure and civil penalties and / or criminal prosecution. ^[98]

The transportation of foreign currency or monetary instruments is legal. However, the carrying of foreign currency in excess of US$10,000.00 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies must be declared to a Customs Officer or the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Violation of this rule may lead to seizure and sanctions, fines and / or penalties. ^[98]

Transportation

Terminal 2 interior of Mactan–Cebu International Airport, the main gateway to the Central Visayas Region

Air transportation

Further information: List of airports in the Philippines § International airports

Currently, there are 16 airports classified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines as International Airports. There are also hundreds of principal domestic airports and community airports throughout the country. The international airports include: ^[99]

• Bacolod–Silay International Airport in Silay, Negros Occidental
• Bicol International Airport in Legazpi, Albay ^[100]
• Bohol–Panglao International Airport in Panglao, Bohol ^[101]
• Cagayan North International Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan
• Clark International Airport in Mabalacat, Pampanga
• Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City
• General Santos International Airport in General Santos
• Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo
• Kalibo International Airport in Kalibo, Aklan
• Laguindingan International Airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental
• Laoag International Airport in Laoag, Ilocos Norte
• Mactan–Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay / Parañaque
• Puerto Princesa International Airport in Puerto Princesa
• Subic Bay International Airport in Morong, Bataan
• Zamboanga International Airport in Zamboanga City

Sea transportation

Main article: List of ports in the Philippines

The country traditionally used sea vehicles since pre-colonial times. The archipelagic country has four areas of ports concentration, as administered by the Philippine Ports Authority. These areas are the South China Sea ports area, Philippine Sea ports area, Celebes Sea ports area, and Inland Seas ports area. Each area has hundreds of ports serving local and international ships and other sea vehicles. ^{[102] [ failed verification ]}

International Tourism Offices

Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Every town and city in the Philippines has at least one tourism office. The country has also established numerous tourism offices in various foreign countries. The international tourism offices include: ^[103]

• Tokyo, Japan
• Osaka, Japan
• Seoul, South Korea
• Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
• Singapore
• Taipei, Taiwan
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• New Delhi, India
• Mumbai, India
• Beijing, China
• Shanghai, China
• Sydney, Australia
• London, United Kingdom
• Frankfurt, Germany
• Moscow, Russia
• Madrid, Spain
• Milan, Italy
• Paris, France
• Dubai, UAE
• Toronto, Canada
• New York, USA
• San Francisco, USA
• Los Angeles, USA

Embassies and consulates of the Philippines throughout the world also serve as de facto international tourism offices.

Threats

Nepenthes sibuyanensis (Pitcher Plant) from the protected Sibuyan Island

Terrorism may pose the greatest threat to tourists' safety in the Philippines, notably in the southern regions bordering Malaysia. The far-southern region is widely known as a no-go zone for foreign visitors. Areas surrounding Marawi and other parts of the island are considered unsafe due to violent activities of rebel groups which include the Maute Group. ^[104]

Certain militant Islamist groups such as Abu Sayyaf and Jema'ah Islamiyah are particularly dangerous, since they are responsible for the majority of recent attacks, which have included bombings, piracies, kidnappings and killings of foreign nationals if their government failed to pay the demanded ransom. ^[105]

Other threats include cultural heritage destruction due to damage, demolition, or looting of heritage structures, and urbanization of younger generations away from indigenous traditions, causing various rituals and practices to fade away. Threats to natural heritage include mining, severe population growth, urbanization, introduction of invasive species, deforestation, water pollution, air pollution, and climate change. ^{[106] [107] [108] [109]}

See also

• Philippines portal

• Visa policy of the Philippines
• Philippine Registry of Cultural Property
• List of festivals in the Philippines
• Arts of the Philippines
• List of beaches in the Philippines
• Architecture of the Philippines
• Biosphere reserves of the Philippines
• Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Philippines
• Lists of Cultural Properties of the Philippines
• Archaeology of the Philippines
• List of national parks of the Philippines
• World Heritage Sites in the Philippines

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External links

• Department of Tourism Philippines
• It's More Fun in the Philippines (Official Tourism Website)
• Carsten M. Hüttche; Alan T. White; Ma. Monina M. Flores (2002). Sustainable Coastal Tourism Handbook for the Philippines (PDF). Coastal Resource Management Project. ISBN   971-92290-3-9.