Arrivals in destinations grows to 15 percent

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.