MANILA/TOKYO – Japanese tourists ranked as the third-largest group of foreign visitors to the Philippines in 2024, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
A total of 444,528 Japanese travelers visited the Southeast Asian country from January to December, marking a 22.84% increase compared to 2023.
“This surge was attributed to aggressive tourism campaigns and strategic partnerships with Japanese travel agencies that paved further awareness and interest in the Philippines as a travel destination,” the DOT said in a statement, describing Japan as a “standout market.”
Japan secured third place among the Philippines’ top tourism source markets, following South Korea with 1,574,152 visitors and the United States with 1,076,663 visitors.
Overall, the Philippines welcomed 5,949,350 foreign tourists during the 12-month period.
The DOT also commended the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s recent decision to downgrade travel advisory levels for parts of Mindanao, a move expected to boost tourism in the region.
The advisory changes include lowering the Davao region, comprising Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental, from Level 2 to Level 1. These areas join the cities of Mati, Tagum, Samal, Davao, and Digos, which remain at Level 1.
In Misamis Oriental, areas including Cagayan de Oro City, Jasaan, Villanueva, and Tagoloan remain at Level 1, while the province itself was downgraded from Level 2 to Level 1.
Surigao City in the Caraga region was also lowered from Level 2 to Level 1, aligning with Siargao Islands, which remain at Level 1.
In the Soccsksargen region, eastern Sarangani Province, including Malungon, Alabel, Malapatan, and Glan, was downgraded from Level 3 to Level 2.
Under Japan’s travel advisory system, Level 1 advises travelers to take extra care, Level 2 means refrain from traveling if non-essential and non-urgent, and Level 3 advises against all travel.
“We are grateful to the Government of Japan for this downgrading of the travel advisory in parts of Mindanao. This is a significant move that attests to the improved safety and security in the region as an aim to bolster tourism not only in the usual destinations but most importantly, in the emerging and lesser-known ones,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco commented. - Florenda Corpuz
(Photo: DOT Secretary Christina Frasco speaks at a press conference following the international press launch and concept presentation of the Philippine Pavilion at The Garden Oriental Osaka on July 24, 2024. | Din Eugenio)