Foreign tourist arrivals are up by over 8% in April compared to last year. The Tourism Department reports that from January to April 2019 the country had 2,867,551 visitors. This is an 8.57% increase from the 2018 number of the same period with 2,641,241 travelers.
Taking over the top spot for the most number of tourists in the county is China with 139,177 visitors up by 26.77% than last year. South Korea is second followed by United States, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia.
The country’s friendlier ties with China have attracted more Chinese visitors to the country.
Both countries however have conflicting claims in the South China Sea and an influx of Chinese workers in the online gambling industry.
The government has previously said it is mulling to expedite or shorten the visa on arrival for Chinese travelers.
