Visitor arrivals to the country's 14 top destinations grew 14 percent to 8.9 million in 2009, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT). Cebu remained the top destination, attracting a total of 1.61 million foreign and domestic visitors, up by 1.2 percent from a year ago. Korea remained the top tourist market for Cebu accounting for 29 percent share of total foreign tourists.
China was the fastest growing market, with a 70 percent increase in arrivals.
Cebu and Camarines Sur were the top two destinations in 2009. Others in the top five list are Metro Manila, with tourist volume of 1.4 million; Boracay Island with 649,559; and Bohol with 313,317 visitors.