By Margaux Ortiz
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines–More foreign tourists are opting to stay longer in the country, making the Philippines “one of the most favored tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific.”
Bureau of Immigration chief Marcelino Libanan made this observation Friday, saying that foreign visitors have paid more than P370 million to the government just to extend their stay in the country.
Libanan said that BI’s collections from visa extension fees from January to August 2007 amounted to P370.17 million, up by P57.9 million or 18 percent from the P312.2 million generated during the same period last year.
“The income was sourced from 151,066 applications for extension of stay of tourists which the bureau approved during the eight-month period,” the BI chief said in a statement, citing statistics from the immigration visa extension office.
Libanan added that approved extensions of stay increased by 16 percent from the 129,666 applications for extension that the bureau granted from January to August 2006.
“Visa extension fees accounted for a large chuck of the BI’s revenue collection over the past few years as the number of tourists who visited the country has steadily grown,” Libanan said.
The immigration chief said the figures indicated that more and more foreign tourists are visiting and prolonging their stay in the Philippines.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Our country is fast emerging as one of the most favored tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific,” Libanan said.
He added, “The fact that foreign tourists are entering our country in droves is an indication that foreign investors’ confidence in our country has tremendously improved as President [Gloria] Macapagal-Arroyo had stated in her last State of the Nation Address.”
Libanan noted that foreign tourists visited the country not only for pleasure but also to consider investment and business opportunities.
He also reported that more foreigners arrived in the country from January to August, compared to the same period last year.
September 30th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
[...] Tales of the Nomad : Tourists staying longer in RP [...]
September 30th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
That’s somehow a good news. Though it was a general view of number of people moving in & out of the country. It would be better if my ex-congressman was able to give specific nationalities, that would make more sense. Makes me think if they we’re Filipino expat that visiting there families. Anyway, I think we still need to do more to attract tourists. Philippines is still not a tourist destination for Australians & New Zealanders. We are still very far from Bali & Phuket in Thailand. Some here still view Philippines as not a safe country to travel to. Maybe we can start by stopping airport taxis ripping off tourists & OCW’s, what do you think? That’s a big turn off I guess.
September 30th, 2007 at 1:53 am
That RP is one of the most visited places in Asia is a bit too much pride. Thailand or even small Singapore are far ahead.
And now, with the extrem overvalued Peso, more and more Agencies cancel travel schedules and change to only individual traveling. They cannot get enough Philippine tourists for to make groups with cheaper fares.
That tourists extend their stay has different reasons. Like me, with a Filipino family, I extend six times every year,the same reason is valid for very many other foreigners.
About the big chunk of income to the Immigration, out of visa extensins is easy to understand since RP, in this matter, is very expensive. A 2-months extension fee is 1000 Pesos, plus fees it is about 2000 and the first extension is more than 3000 Pesos. For one year it adds toabout 14000 Pesos. Contrary, a Filipino would pay in expensive Switzerland about 2300 Pesos for a five year extension of his permanent residency.
I remember my first extension, still during Martial Law time, I paid 84 Pesos. And tourists flocked around the country because there have been several discounted flight versions like the oundtrip where,as example, I paid 800 Pesos for Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Zamboanga,Tacloban Baguio, Manila. And at every place was vernighting and sightseeing which brought additional income to the people. In this way, RP has still a lot to do now for to become more attractive to tourists. Good tourism means tourists that come again, not only one time. With no cheaper group tickets or charter flights, due to few tourists, a flight from Europe to RP costs more than a group- or charter ticket incl. 2 weeks first class hotel in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia. So, most tourists now come from nearby regions in Asia, China, Japan, Korea only.
September 29th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
i am an airline pilot working for a foreign airline.i am just wondering when the new manila international airport terminal in villamor will open,because as of now we have the worst international airport i have been to.I is about time also for our president to have an OPEN SKY POLICY.GOD BLES OUR BELOVED COUNTRY.
September 29th, 2007 at 10:26 am
I corroborate Mr. Libanan’s observation with my own. I meet clients, friends and associates in restuarants, hotels, cafes and bistros and almost always, we sit beside foreigners lounging, dining, discussing business with Filipino traders/businessmen. I see them attending Sunday masses in Greenbelt Chapel in Ayala Center. It’s heartwarming to watch them being one with us in our Catholic faith. I understand why they want to stay longer. They feel welcome and they see opportunities — business or otherwise — that they want to explore.