Puyat: RP tourism arrival growth rate higher than global average rate

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (middle) poses with Routes Brand Director Steven Small (left) and Mactan Cebu International Airport General Manager Steve Dicdican (right) after she delivered her message at the Routes Asia 2019 Strategy Conference held in Cebu on Sunday. /Irene R. Sino Cruz

CEBU CITY, Philippines –The Philippines registered a higher tourist arrivals growth when compared to global average growth rate, said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Puyat, who delivered the welcome remarks on the first day of Routes Asia 2019 Strategy Conference held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Sunday afternoon, said that the country’s tourist arrivals in 2018 reached 7.1 million.

The tourism Secretary quoted the United Nations World Tourism Organization as reporting that the Philippines registered 7.6 percent growth in international tourist arrivals, besting the global average of five percent.

She explained that the Philippines have to develop air connectivity to make our country’s destinations accessible to the world.

“The improvement and modernization of our airport facilities and infrastructure is a top priority for tourism,” Romulo-Puyat said.

“This is the reason why the Philippines’ hosting of Routes Asia marks another milestone in our route development program,” she added.

In a statement, she recalled that the country’s previous hosting of Routes Asia three years ago helped develop new international air seats not just in Manila but also in secondary routes.

“We are positive that the same benefits will be experienced not only by the province of Cebu but the whole Central Visayas region,” Romulo-Puyat said. /dcb