DOT expects more Malaysian visitors in 2013

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting an influx of Malaysian tourists here and neighboring destinations this year after recording a significant increase in arrivals of Malaysian tourists to the country.

Eduardo Malaya, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, said Davao Region and the entire Mindanao in particular will directly benefit from the country's upbeat tourism projections particularly in the increased arrivals of Malaysian tourists as well as the signing of the Bangsamoro framework agreement.

"We expect that this significant growth to continue and also see more foreign tourists going to Davao, Siargao and other destinations in Mindanao in the light of the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. This may unlock the terrific tourism potentials of the region," Malaya said in an article published in the official website of the DOT.

As of October 2012, DOT recorded a 21.925 percent increase in Malaysian tourist arrivals which translates to 91,230 Malaysians who visited the country for first 10 months of 2012.

From being the 12th biggest market for Philippine tourism in 2012, the Malaysians became 11th in 2012.

Among the factors attributed to the hefty influx of Malaysian tourists in the country for 2012 include the increased air connectivity between the country and Malaysia as well as the government's aggressive tourism.

In 2012, various airline companies launched several direct flights to Malaysia from different points in the country and these include AirAsia Philippines. The AirPhil Express also opened their Kuala Lumpur-Clark and Kuala Lumpur-Manila flights while the Cebu Pacific airlines opened their Kuala Lumpur-Cebu route in December.

Countries in the top 10 sources of tourist arrivals to the Philippines as of October 2012 are Korea (832,437), United States (534,899), Japan (341,676), China (215,814), Taiwan (188,862), Australia (147,237), Singapore (111,200), Hongkong (98,967), and Canada (96,089).