The Department of Tourism (DOT) hailed the improvement in tourism industry figures in 2021 based on the record of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
 
According to the PSA, employment in tourism-related industries increased by 4.6%. This is equivalent to 4.9 million in 2021 compared to 4.68 million in 2020. Internal tourism expenditure also increased by 16.3%.
 
"PSA estimates the contribution of Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be at 5.2 percent in 2021 from 5.1 percent in 2020," the DOT said.
 
"The TDGVA for the year also amounted to Php 1,001.30 billion-a 9.2 percent increase compared to Php 917. 20 billion in 2020," it added.
 
The department said that this is a result of the government's initiative to revive the country's economy.
 
The DOT also hopes that the tourism industry will grow further this year with the help of more relaxed restrictions for local travel and the removal of the test-before-travel requirement for boosted foreign tourists.
 
"The DOT is optimistic to see an increase in employment in tourism-related industries, as the resumption of livelihood of tourism workers remains one of the agency's priorities," according to the agency.
 
The number of tourist arrivals in the country has reached 682,949 as of June 15.