In 2019, the contribution of Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) to the Philippine economy as measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated at 12.7 percent.  (Table 23)

The TDGVA amounted to PhP 2.48 trillion in 2019, higher by 10.8 percent compared to PhP 2.24 trillion in 2018.  (Tables 16, 17)

Among the forms of tourism, inbound tourism expenditure posted the highest growth in 2019 at 23.2 percent, followed by domestic tourism expenditure at 10.4 percent, and outbound tourism expenditure at 2.6 percent.  (Tables 2, 5, 8)

In 2019, the main contributors to domestic tourism expenditure growth are Accommodation Services for Visitors, Miscellaneous, and Country-specific Tourism Characteristic Services with 9.9 percent, 11.5 percent, and 9.7 percent growth, respectively.  (Table 5)

Both inbound and domestic tourism expenditure grew in 2019

Inbound tourism expenditure, which refers to the expenditure of non-resident visitors (foreign visitors and Filipinos permanently residing abroad) within the Philippines, increased by 23.2 percent in 2019, amounting to PhP 548.76 billion from PhP 445.58 billion in 2018.  The share of inbound tourism expenditure to the country’s total exports was 9.9 percent. (Table 24)

Similarly, domestic tourism expenditure, which covers expenditures of resident visitors within the country either as domestic trip or part of an international trip, grew by 10.4 percent, from PhP 2.85 trillion in 2018 to PhP 3.14 trillion in 2019. Domestic tourism expenditure represents 22.0 percent of the household final consumption expenditure. (Table 25)

Annual growth in employment in tourism characteristic industries increases further in 2019

Employment in tourism characteristic industries was estimated at 5.71 million in 2019, higher by 6.5 percent compared to 5.36 million in the previous year. Share of employment in tourism industries to total employment in the country was recorded at 13.5 percent.  (Table 27)

The PTSA is compiled annually by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the PTSA Main Page.