BI logs over 14.7M international arrivals in 2024

INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Over 14.7 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2024, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Sunday.

Citing its 2024 data, the agency said 14,733,597 international passengers arrived in the Philippines, which was over two million higher than the pre-pandemic figure of 17,085,097 in 2019.

Of the 2024 figure, BI said South Korea remained the top source of foreign arrivals with 1,761,281 visitors, followed by the United States (1,325,684) and China (500,082).

Other countries that contributed to this figure were Japan, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, India, and Singapore.

“The return of international arrivals to near pre-pandemic levels is a testament to the Philippines’ appeal as a top destination. The BI remains committed to streamlining and modernizing our entry procedures to support this momentum while upholding border security,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a statement.

According to BI, South Korea is a key market for Philippine tourism. Tourist arrivals from South Korea support the country’s drive “to sustain and further increase arrivals from Japan, given the strong cultural and travel exchange between the two countries.”

Viado also said they are inviting foreign tourists to stay longer in the Philippines “by making immigration services easy and accessible.”

He pointed out that those who wish to avail of visa extensions and other services can do so through its 60 offices nationwide or through e-services.immigration.gov.ph.