Port passengers hit 4.7M during 2024 holiday season - PPA

The number of passengers who traveled via ports nationwide hit 4.7 million during the recent Christmas and New Year holidays, surpassing the projection of 4.5 million, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said Tuesday.

From December 15, 2024, to January 5, 2025, 4,743,931 passengers went to ports to catch trips. This is an increase from the 4,366,933 travelers recorded in the same period in 2023.

The PPA said that this is also the highest number of passengers since the pandemic.

“Actually it is high…It’s more than the expected passengers, the total is 4.7 million this 2024 compared to 4.3 million last 2023 and compared to 4.5 million forecast,” said PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte in a message to GMA News Online.

In a separate statement, the PPA said that among the reasons for the surge in port passengers are improving economy and people preferring sea travel as a mode of transportation.

“As the country emerges from previous economic challenges and typhoons, increased disposable income and greater mobility have led to a higher number of travelers, particularly during the holiday season,” the agency said.

“Additionally, sea travel continues to be the preferred mode of transportation for many Filipinos due to its affordability, accessibility, and the extensive network of domestic routes connecting the country’s islands.”

From December 2024 to January 2025, PPA data showed that most of the travelers flocked to Batangas with 601,571 passengers.

It was followed by Bohol with 482,694 passengers and Negros Oriental/Siquijor with 433,282 passengers. Also in the top five are Davao with 442,929 and Bicol with 312,530. — VBL, GMA Integrated News