Palawan has seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2023.
With a total of 364,521 tourists arriving in the province from January through March, it is clear that Palawan tourism has been improving for three years after the coronavirus outbreak halted the industry and caused a significant economic and financial loss.
The total number of tourist arrivals covering the first quarter of the year came from the data submitted by Municipal Tourism Offices (MTOs), which compose the Tourism Live-Inventory and Statistics of Tourist Arrivals, also known as TourLista, of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The tourism town of El Nido attracted the highest number of visits made by foreign and domestic tourists, at 143,144. This was followed by Coron with 38,392, San Vicente at 29,174, and the city of Puerto Princesa, which logged a total number of 120,535 tourist arrivals.
The Provincial Tourism Promotion and Development Office (PTPDO) partial data shows that 183,540 domestic tourists and 180,981 foreign tourists arrived in the first quarter of 2023.
Concerning the top markets or tourists’ nationality, the Americans or the USA place on top of the list with 11,237 arrivals. This is followed by the Netherlands (5,824), France (5,417), Spain (4,257), Australia (4,064), Italy (3,914), Canada (3,536), Germany (3,110), the United Kingdom (3,033), and Switzerland (2,630).
On the other hand, six Palawan towns made it to the Top 10 Destinations in the MIMAROPA Region for the month of March. This includes El Nido, Puerto Princesa City, Coron, San Vicente, Linapacan, and Palawan’s Coconut Capital, Brooke’s Point.
In addition, the Palawan government has also been actively promoting the province as a top tourist destination, investing in tourism infrastructure and marketing initiatives to attract more visitors. This has resulted in improved accessibility and convenience for travelers, making it easier for them to explore the island and enjoy its many attractions.
Furthermore, the increase in tourism has also brought economic benefits to Palawan, creating jobs and opportunities for local businesses.