CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — A total of 2,806,317 tourist arrivals were recorded in the MIMAROPA region in 2024.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) MIMAROPA announced that there was a 17.41 percent increase in tourist arrivals from 2,317,864 in 2023 to 2,806,317 total number of tourist arrivals in 2024 in the region.
“Mayroon po tayong 2.8 million na dumating pong mga turista from all over the Philippines. Ang laki po ng ating jump since 2019 hanggang 2024 so kung titignan natin yung data masasabi po natin na ang jump natin is over 17 percent,” Regional Director Roberto P. Alabado III said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, March 26.
Among the foreign tourists flocking to MIMAROPA region, considered as the top five markets, include the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany. Those countries have consistently contributed to the region’s visitor numbers, Alabado said.
“‘Yang mga turistang ‘yan kapag daong sa Maynila after doon dito na sa MIMAROPA, most especially sa Puerto Galera. Diyan po sa Puerto Galera maraming Asian foreigners po ang pumupunta so ito po ang ano kung gaano ka sikat tayo,” he stressed.
Puerto Galera, located in Oriental Mindoro, is renowned for its vibrant marine life, pristine beaches and thriving nightlife, making it a favorite among both international and domestic tourists.
Alabado also said that along with the rise in visitor numbers, MIMAROPA’s tourism receipts have also experienced a “dramatic” increase.
The region’s estimated tourism revenue for 2024 reached an impressive P41.5 billion, representing a staggering 70.78 percent growth from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, when the region generated P24.3 billion.
He noted that the influx of tourists has positively impacted local businesses including hospitality, transportation, retail and tourism-related services.
Alabado emphasized that the region’s tourism growth is vital for local economies, helping to create jobs and stimulate other sectors.
“We’ve seen how tourism can be a powerful engine for economic recovery and with this impressive increase in both tourist arrivals and revenue, we are confident that MIMAROPA will continue to thrive as a major tourism hub,” he said. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
