PHL optimistic of hitting target tourist arrivals for 2015

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MANILA — The government is optimistic about achieving or even exceeding its target of 59.9 million tourist arrivals next year on the back of trademark Filipino hospitality.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

said the country is increasing its budget for tourism development every year to support growth of the sector.

Under the budget proposed for 2015 by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), allocation for tourism infrastructure development has been raised from P14.

7 billion to P20 billion.

The budget aims to support target 8.2 million foreign tourist arrivals and 51.7 million domestic tourist arrivals for next year.

“At patuloy naman ‘yung pag-asa na matatamo at mai-exceed ‘yung mga target dahil ibang klase talaga ang kalidad ng Pilipino sa aspeto nang pagiging hospitable at ‘yon ang nakikita ng ating mga bisita, hindi lamang ‘yung kagandahan ng ating mga panoorin o mga destinasyon, kundi ang kagandahang loob ng mga Pilipino,” Coloma said.

The PCOO chief believes that the country is benefiting from various programs geared towards boosting tourism.

“It’s more fun in 2014 and in all the years that we will still be reaping the benefits of our continuing efforts to attract more visitors to our country,” he said.