AT LEAST 2.6 million foreign tourists have visited the Philippines over the first four months of 2018 – 12.35 percent higher than the number recorded in the same period last year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) disclosed on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post, the DOT noted the increase from the 2.3 million tourists that visited the country in 2017.
The DOT attributed the rise in number of foreign tourists to its unrelenting promotional effort to push the Philippines as worthwhile travel destination.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has launched its first direct flight from the Puerto Princesa International Airport to Incheon, South Korea.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday said direct flights to South Korea from Palawan started last June 23.
“This is a historic occasion in line with the government’s promise to lure more international tourists to come to Puerto Princesa,” CAAP Director General Capt. Jim C. Sydiongco said in a statement.
CAAP, however, clarified that these PAL flights would be initially available from June 23 to October 27.
Flight PR 474 will depart regularly from Puerto Princesa at 5:00 a.m. and arrive at Incheon by 6:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, its turnaround flight PR 475will depart at 8:25 a.m. in Incheon and will arrive in Puerto Princesa at 12:05 p.m.
PAL will use an A321 type single-aisle aircraft that could accommodate up to 199 passengers and 12 tons of cargo.
The Puerto Princesa International Airport was inaugurated only on May 3, 2017.