More tourists in Metro, but for shorter stays

More tourists came to Metro Manila for the month of January this year compared to the same period in 2005 but stayed for a shorter time, according to records from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

DOT data showed that 272,525 foreign visitors were recorded this January, a 1.4 percent increase compared to 268,818 international arrivals for the same period last year.

The average occupancy rate in Metro Manila hotels went up to 75.74 percent last January from 75.42 percent. First-class hotels registered the highest occupancy rate of 80.44 percent, followed by deluxe hotels at 75.83 percent while standard hotels registered 74.64 percent occupancy.

Hotels in Pasay City or those near the airport posted an 88.36 occupancy rate while those in Makati, Pasig and Mandaluyong had a 78.45 percent occupancy rate.

DOT records, however, showed that hotel guests’ overall average length of stay was 2.51 nights, which is 9.7 percent lower than the 2.78 nights spent by travelers a year ago.

Most of the tourists who flocked to Metro Manila are South Koreans, followed by those from the United States and Japan.

Other countries whose nationals choose the Philippines as a destination are China, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom.