DOT targets to have 4.8 million tourists visiting Philippines in 2023

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is targeting to have 4.8 million tourist arrivals in the country this year, double that of last year's visitors.

"Ang target natin this year is 4.8 [million tourists] but of course that is the minimum. Ayaw nating mag-stop doon," DOT Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar said, according to a report by Ian Cruz on GMA Integrated News' Saksi on Friday.

(Our target this year is 4.8 [million tourists] but of course that is the minimum. We don't want to stop there.)

In 2022, a total of 2.6 million tourists arrived in the Philippines after the opening of borders to all international travelers in February, the DOT earlier said.

"Let us reclaim the optimism of both foreign and Filipino travelers as we reap the bounties from the resumption of normal tourism activities," President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has said.

Meanwhile, thousands went to the annual Travel Tour Expo organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on its opening day on Friday, February 3.

Happening now: The 30th PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2023 in SMX Convention Center Manila! @gmanews pic.twitter.com/n141XBmZNo

— Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) February 3, 2023

Top Tourism officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps grace the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the 30th Travel Tour Expo 2023. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/8xBmQpl5Eo

— Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) February 3, 2023

Up to 80,000 to 100,000 guests are expected to visit the Travel Tour Expo until Sunday, Feb. 5, to check out the travel promos offered by various establishments and airlines. —KG, GMA Integrated News