WATCH: DOT eyes 8.2 million foreign tourists in 2019

MANILA, Philippines— The Department of Tourism said it is targeting around 8.2 million foreign tourists in 2019.

During the recent launch of the refreshed “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism campaign, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the agency is eyeing to increase tourist arrivals by 15 percent from the previous 7.1 million foreign visitors in 2018.

The DOT said the country increased tourist arrivals last year despite the six-month Boracay closure.

She said among the top tourist destinations visited by foreign nationals were Cebu, El Nido and Siargao, among others.

Meanwhile, Korean nationals were the top foreign tourists in 2018. Chinese nationals, Americans, Japanese and Australians were also among the top visitors of the country.