Share of tourism in economy up 13% to P518.5 B in 2010

MANILA, Philippines – The share of tourism in the country’s economy grew to P518.5 billion in 2010, 13 percent higher than the previous year’s P459 billion, according to a report from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

Data also showed that from 2000 to 2010, the average share of tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) – an indicator of the economic impact of tourism activities – is about 5.8 percent.

Of the different tourism-related activities, shopping accounted for the biggest share with 20.3 percent, followed by accommodation with 14.8 percent. Other activities also accounted for a huge share as well such as entertainment and recreation with 6.8 percent.

Data also showed that other tourism related industries and their corresponding shares include: travel agencies (5.6 percent), food and beverage (5.3 percent), transport (3.5 percent), and miscellaneous (0.9 percent).

The government considers the tourism industry more as an employment generator than income generator. As such, the share of tourism employment to total employment has been on the rise, averaging 9.7 percent from 2000 to 2010.

“Employment in tourism industries was estimated at 3.7 million in 2010, up 4.1 percent from last year’s 3.5 million. Employment in tourism industries has been growing at an annual average of 3.7 percent in 2000-2010,” the NSCB also reported.

Inbound tourism expenditures or the expenditures of non-resident visitors within the Philippines rose by 9.6 percent to P109.2 billion, higher than the P99.7 billion recorded in 2009.

Inbound tourists put their money on shopping, food and beverage, and accommodation, with 28.3 percent, 28 percent and 21.8 percent shares to their total expenditures, respectively.

“On the other hand, domestic tourism expenditures, which refer to the expenditures of resident visitors within the country either as a domestic trip or part of an international trip, posted double-digit growth of 15.1 percent, compared to 2.7 percent in 2009,” the NSCB also said. –Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star)