MANILA, Mar 4 (NNN-PNA) – The Philippines recorded an increase of over 40 percent in the number of international travellers, after the country reopened its borders on Feb 10, the Bureau of Immigration said, yesterday.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner, Jaime Morente, said, 211,899 travellers arrived in Feb, up from 150,740 in Jan. “The bureau has been processing international passenger arrivals at the country’s ports at a record rate,” Morente said.
Carlos Capulong, head of the bureau’s port operations, said, 154,661 travellers that arrived last month were Filipinos, adding that, Americans ranked second with 21,383, followed by the Canadians with 4,026, and British nationals with 3,250.
The Philippines closed its borders to foreign tourists since mid-Mar, 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19 infections. After almost two years of travel bans and border closure, the Philippines has allowed the entry of fully vaccinated travellers from 157 countries and regions, with visa-free arrangements.
Morente and Capulong expressed confidence that more visitors will come to the country, leading to the recovery of the tourism industry from the pandemic.
“I am positive that with our continued adherence to health protocols, we are slowly on the road to recovery,” Morente said.– NNN-PNA
