The Tourism Department failed to meet its target of 6 million international visitor arrivals in 2016, as natural calamities hindered travel in the fourth quarter.
Cesar Villanueva, the industry relations representative of Tourism Promotions Board, made the announcement in a news briefing during the launch of Travel Tour Expo 2016.
“Our target for foreign arrival was 6 million, but due to a spate of hard-hitting typhoons, total tally reached 5.9 million only,” he said. In December 2016 alone, about 200 flights were cancelled due to typhoons.
The government set a target of 6.5 million international visitor arrivals in 2017.
The Philippine Travel Agencies Association, the organizer of the Travel Tour Expo, expressed concern over the impact of extreme weather on the travel sector.
“We but have to understand that there is always a risk. If not the weather, then it could be terrorism. So whatever the situations are, we should always think of the best scenarios and keep a positive mind. That is why we are offering the best travel deals in town in the upcoming Travel Tour Expo,” said PTAA president Maria Michelle Reyes-Victoria.
The expo will be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Feb. 10 to 12, 2016.
