The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the MIMAROPA region reported that tourist arrivals in the region in 2023 have almost doubled compared to the previous year.
Data from DOT MIMAROPA shows that in 2023, the region recorded a total of 2,317,569 tourist arrivals. Of these, 1,525,171 were domestic visitors, 780,637 were foreigners, and 11,761 were balikbayans.
Palawan was the most visited province in the region last year, followed by Oriental Mindoro. Romblon ranked last with only 35,584 tourist arrivals for the whole year.
DOT MIMAROPA Regional Director Roberto P. Alabado III explained that the more accurate recording of tourist arrivals in the region was facilitated by the TourLista app, developed by DOT and DOST MIMAROPA. This tool provides comprehensive data collection of tourists.
Accrediting more tourism enterprises in the region also boosted tourist arrivals. As of June 30 of this year, DOT has accredited a total of 1,536 tourism enterprises such as hotels, resorts, tour agencies and operators, tour guides, and more.
Alabado III stated that DOT and local government units participated in different expos around the world and the country to promote MIMAROPA in various local and foreign markets, aiming to further increase tourist arrivals.
“Right now, as of June, we have a total of 1.364 million tourists coming to our region, and that is just for half of the year. We are expecting to exceed the 2023 tourist arrival data in the region,” Alabado III added.
