Central Visayas “Most Visited Region” by Foreign Tourists; CALABARZON by Locals

Central Visayas emerged as the Philippine region most visited by international tourists from 2000 to 2024, while CALABARZON — comprising the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon — was the favorite destination of local tourists during the same period.

The study noted that Cebu province, as the region’s centerpiece, continues to strengthen the country’s tourism reputation through its strong and diverse portfolio, which has long attracted visitors.

This was revealed in a discussion paper by the country’s primary socioeconomic policy think tank, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), titled “Philippine Tourism Sectoral Review (2000 to 2025): From Promise to Power – Accelerating the Philippines’ Tourism Transformation toward Sustainability, Competitiveness, and Inclusion.”

Using data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the study reviewed the performance of the country’s tourism sector over the past 25 years.

The Lure of Central Visayas

Data showed that Central Visayas was visited by 31.5 million foreign tourists from 2000 to 2024.

The study noted that Cebu province, as the region’s centerpiece, continues to strengthen the country’s tourism reputation through its strong and diverse portfolio, which has long attracted visitors.

The tourism department highlighted that the province is known for the historic sites of Cebu City, such as Magellan’s Cross; the thrilling adventures at Kawasan Falls in Badian; marine life encounters in Moalboal and Oslob in southern Cebu; and world-class diving in northern Cebu’s Malapascua and Bantayan islands.

“This year, Cebu accelerates its tourism recovery and reaffirms its position as a premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination after the successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026,” the department said.

Central Visayas is also home to the country’s first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark in Bohol province — described as a geological wonder more than 150 million years old — and the natural habitat of one of the world’s smallest primates, the tarsier.

Also among visitors’ favorites in the region are the spotless white sands of the Manjuyod Sandbar in Bais City; Dumaguete in Negros Oriental — known as the “City of Gentle People” and formally part of the new Negros Island Region (NIR) since June 2024; and the natural wonders of Siquijor, including Cambugahay Falls.

Other Regional Destinations

The PIDS study also identified other regions that have seen significant foreign tourist arrivals over the past 24 years.

Western Visayas recorded 11.9 million foreign tourist arrivals, driven largely by Boracay’s 4-kilometer powdery white beach, which was recently crowned the World’s Leading Luxury Island Destination.

The Bicol Region welcomed 8.9 million foreign tourists, attracted by its breathtaking landscapes, including the nearly perfect cone-shaped Mount Mayon and whale shark interactions in Donsol.

Central Luzon, benefiting from its proximity to the National Capital Region (NCR) and Clark International Airport — a secondary gateway for international travelers — accounted for 8.3 million foreign tourist arrivals.

The MIMAROPA region (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), home to one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recorded over 6.9 million foreign tourists.

CALABARZON a Magnet for Domestic Tourism

CALABARZON, visited by 77.5 million local tourists from 2008 to 2024, emerged as the top destination for domestic travelers.

“The region’s accessibility makes it a prime destination for short-haul travel and weekend getaways, particularly for travelers from Metro Manila,” according to PIDS.

A total of 10,863,098 overnight travelers visited the region in 2024, including 10,680,294 domestic tourists and 182,804 overseas Filipinos and foreign travelers, based on the DOT’s Statistics, Economic Analysis, and Information Management Division (SEAIMD) Regional Distribution of Overnight Travelers report.

Meanwhile, the Bicol Region recorded 51.7 million domestic travelers, followed by Central Visayas with 45.9 million, Central Luzon with 44.2 million, and Western Visayas with 38.2 million.

Tourism as a Major Economic Driver

The DOT said that in terms of domestic tourism expenditure, the Philippines ranked first in Southeast Asia, accounting for over one-third of the region’s total.

In 2024, Philippine domestic spending reached USD 63.4 billion, with a projected valuation of USD 70.8 billion in 2025, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the department noted.

“The strong performance of our regions highlights the vital role of domestic tourism in sustaining the industry. In the Philippines, domestic tourism is just as important — if not more important — than international arrivals, as Filipino travelers continue to drive economic activity, support local businesses, and create jobs across the country,” the tourism department said.

“This growth shows the importance of improving accessibility, infrastructure, and tourism experiences to build a resilient and inclusive tourism sector for our communities,” it added.