PHILADELPHIA — The top Philippine tourism destinations in 2019 are expected to see a surge in the number of tourists who choose to visit the country, as the government attempts to revive its economy after a deep economic slump.
The country is expected to host more than 2 million tourists in 2019, according to the International Tourism Organization.
The Tourism Development Corporation of the Philippines, which is a non-governmental organization that manages foreign exchange and tourism transactions, said in a report released Wednesday that the Philippine economy will generate around $3.6 billion in 2019 and expects to be one of the top tourist destinations for the next five years.
Tourism was a key economic driver for the Philippines and its former colonial ruler, Ferdinand Marcos, until he was removed from office in 1986 following the bloody 1986 coup attempt by his brother, then-president Ferdinand Marcos.
The Philippines’ economy was devastated by the economic recession following the military dictatorship that followed the coup, and the economy has struggled ever since.
More than 7.4 million Filipinos live in poverty, according the International Monetary Fund.
Travel to the Philippines is a popular destination for foreign visitors, with many foreigners staying longer in hotels and resorts.
Filipinos have become accustomed to the long queues and sometimes high costs of living in other countries, including Thailand, which has been the destination of many Filipino trips.
