TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism Region 8 announced the region earned about P39.33 billion in tourism revenue inbound tourism expenditures in 2024, marking 24.80% increase from the previous year.
The income was derived from the 1.66 million tourist arrivals in 2024. The tourism office also logged in more than 5.5 million same day guests for the same year.
DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said during the recent ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’, last year’s numbers show a recovery rate of 95% from pre-pandemic levels, which shows the tourism sector in the region is resilient and is fast recovering from the ravages of the pandemic.
“We have a set target of 17% increase and we have surpassed that at 24% in 2024. Exceeding it again this year is something to look forward to,” Tiopes said.
The increasing tourist arrivals has impacted directly on job creation, sustaining small businesses and contributes to the revenues of the local economy, according to Tiopes.
The provinces’ contribution in tourism arrivals came from Samar with 383,724, Tacloban City with 377,612 and Leyte with P361, 291. Peak season in 2024 was in June and December with 163,062 and 152, 241 arrivals.
Lintaon Peak and the 16,000 Blossoms in Baybay City, Canigao Island in Matalom, Leyte Tagbak Marine Park in Liloan, Southern Leyte are the top three sites in the region with the most tourist arrivals in 2024
With tourism as a largely competitive sector, the tourism office in the region continues to develop new tourism products and enhance existing ones.
“Tourists always look for something new or something different to experience. We need to keep up in this ever changing and very competitive industry,” Tiopes said.
The region’s best tourism destinations are offered as “infinite escapes” of Eastern Visayas. These include Infinite Thrills which are nature and adventure tourism: Infinite Dives featuring the region’s world-class diving sites in the Southern Leyte; Infinite Surf Breaks which can be enjoyed through the first-class surfing sites facing the Pacific Ocean in Eastern Samar.
There are also Infinite Stories which are historical and cultural heritage that abound through Spanish-era churches and cultural festivals all over the region; Infinite Discoveries through several of its world-ranked universities and educational institutions; Infinite Expenditures which feature cruise destinations such as the Kalanggaman Island in Leyte.
Also in the product portfolio are Infinite Road Trips which promotes motorcycle tourism; Infinite Harvests and Eats featuring farm visits and culinary delights; Infinite Meet-Ups which comprise hosting of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).
The newest is the Infinite Swings which is a significant segment of the tourism industry, that involves trips where the primary purpose is to play golf, often combining it with leisure and exploring new destinations.
(AHLETTE C. REYES/PIA-8)
