The regions of Central Visayas and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) are the Philippines’ most visited destinations by foreign and domestic tourists in the past two decades, based on a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
In its paper titled “Philippine Tourism Sectoral Review (2000 to 2025): From Promise to Power,” the PIDS said Central Visayas attracted 31.5 million international visitors between 2000 and 2024, followed by the National Capital Region with 19.6 million.
Foreigners likewise flocked to Western Visayas, with a recorded 11.8 million arrivals in the same period, driven largely by Boracay’s global popularity.
Following closely are the Bicol Region with 8.8 million, Central Luzon with 8.3 million, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and Calabarzon with a combined 8.2 million foreign visitors.
The think-tank said regions in Mindanao, such as Soccsksargen and Zamboanga, received modest foreign arrivals “due to persistent challenges related to lingering image concerns.”
On the other hand, Calabarzon topped as a preferred destination for the domestic market, receiving 77.5 million local travelers from 2008 to 2024.
Trailing behind is Central Visayas, with 60.1 million recorded domestic travelers, mostly traveling to Cebu and Bohol, both major hubs for leisure, culture, and island tourism, Bicol region with 56.1 million, Central Luzon with 44.1 million, and Davao region with 43 million local visitors.
In a statement on Friday, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Central Visayas’ position as a top foreign tourist draw signals the success of “community-anchored tourism development” in the region.
“Central Visayas affirms the strength of sustained public-private partnerships among national agencies, local governments, industry stakeholders, and host communities,” she said.
“This year, Cebu accelerates its tourism recovery and reaffirms its position as a premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination after the successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026, while Bohol continues to advance its tourism development, supported by improved international flight connectivity,” she added.
She described Calabarzon’s strong finish as a reflection of domestic tourism’s role in sustaining the Philippine tourism sector.
“In the Philippines, domestic tourism is just as important, if not more important, than international arrivals, as Filipino travelers continue to drive economic activity, support local businesses, and create jobs across the country,” she said.
“This growth shows the importance of improving accessibility, infrastructure, and tourism experiences to build a resilient and inclusive tourism sector for our communities.”
In 2024 alone, Calabarzon recorded more than 10.86 million overnight travelers, 10.68 million of whom were domestic, while 182,804 were overseas Filipinos and foreign travelers.
The Philippines currently ranks number one in Southeast Asia in terms of domestic tourism expenditure, accounting for more than one-third of the region’s total.
In 2024, Philippine domestic spending reached USD63.4 billion with a projected valuation of USD70.8 billion for 2025, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. (PNA)
