Tourism contribution

A comprehensive study by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) found that for the years 2000 to 2010, the tourism sector contributed about 5.8 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) annually.  Its total contribution in 2010 reached PhP518.5 billion, or 13.0 percent higher than previous year’s PhP459 billion, according to the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) compiled by the NSCB in coordination with the Department of Tourism.

Among the tourism industries, shopping had the largest contribution at 20.3 percent, followed by accommodation with 14.8 percent, and entertainment and recreation with 6.8 percent.  Other 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 share of tourism employment to total employment in the country has been on the rise, averaging 9.7 percent for the years 2000 to 2010.  Employment in tourism industries was estimated at 3.7 million in 2010, up by 4.1 percent from 3.5 million in 2009.   Employment in tourism industries has been growing at an annual average of 3.7 percent.

Inbound tourism expenditures, which refer to the expenditures of foreign visitors and Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad, amounted to PhP109.2 billion in 2010, up by 9.6 percent from PhP99.7 billion recorded in 2009.   Among the consumption products, shopping, food and beverage, and accommodation topped the list among inbound tourists with 28.3 percent, 28.0 percent and 21.8 percent shares to their total expenditures, respectively.