The Philippines recorded nearly 4.34 million foreign-tourist arrivals in the first 10 months of 2025, down 3.3 percent from a year earlier, according to data published recently by the nation’s Department of Tourism. Foreign tourists accounted for 91.0 percent of aggregate arrivals, which include people classified as overseas Filipinos.
In aggregate terms, the country recorded just under 4.77 million arrivals in the January to October period, including 428,405 entries by overseas Filipinos. The latter segment – referring to Philippine passport holders permanently living abroad – was up 8.8 percent from a year earlier.
The Philippines is one of the few jurisdictions in Asia to have an extensive casino industry with unrestricted access for locals, as well as foreigners.
In recent months, the country has been battered by natural disasters, including a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu in late September, as well as two super typhoons this month.
In terms of foreign tourists, South Korea was the Philippines’ top source market, with nearly 1.05 million arrivals in the 10 months to October 31, accounting for 21.9 percent of all arrivals. The tally from that market was down 20.6 percent from the prior-year period.
The second-biggest source market for foreign tourists to the Philippines in the reporting period was the United States, with 815,745 arrivals, about 17.1 percent of all arrivals. The number of arrivals was up 6.8 percent from a year earlier, showed the data.
Japan rounded out the top three source markets, providing 373,790 arrivals, about 7.8 percent of all visitors. The figure was up 16.1 percent year-on-year.
China provided about 228,151 visitors in the first 10 months of 2025, representing nearly 4.8 percent of all arrivals. The figure fell by 18.6 percent from a year ago.
The Philippines received circa 5.44 million foreign tourists in full-year 2024, up 8.7 percent from a year earlier. The figure fell short of the 7.7-million target for 2024 that had been set by the local authorities.
Speaking at a forum at the World Travel Market (WTM) London last week, Philippines’ Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco called on foreign investors to take advantage of the Philippines’ growing tourism opportunities.
Ms Frasco said that public-private partnerships play a “very potent role” in accelerating tourism development, be it through airport modernisation or tourism infrastructure, and destination improvements, reported the Philippine News Agency.
