The tourism office in Puerto Princesa reported recording 396,890 visitor in the first half of 2025, keeping its position as the top destination in MIMAROPA.
The report was released despite assertions that the city is facing a decline in visitor arrivals and is currently undergoing an unprecedented low season.
In a video report posted on August 11 through its social media page, the City Tourism Office (CTO) headed by Demetrio Alvior Jr. reported that data from TourLista, the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) digital visitor registration system, showed the city welcomed 396,890 visitors from January to June, 71% of whom were domestic tourists while 29% were foreigners.
The city government, under the “mega apuradong administrasyon” of Mayor Lucilo Bayron, has anchored its tourism push on four sectors—sustainable, sports, cruise, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) tourism.
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City tourism said foreign arrivals were topped by visitors from the U.S., tailed by France, Germany, Australia, and Canada. Collectively, they brought in an estimated ₱2.65 billion to the city’s economy, spending an average ₱7,000 per person daily on accommodation, transport, food, tours, and shopping.
“Base sa datos, umaabot sa halos 7,000 pesos ang ginugugol ng isang individual sa kada-araw ng kanyang pananatili sa lungsod para sa kanyang accommodation, transportation, pagkain, tours, shopping, at maraming pang iba,” according to the report.
But curiously, the usual dominant markets of Koreans, Taiwanese, and Chinese were absent from the list. According to previous tourism data and statements, Koreans ranked among the highest in visitor arrivals from 2015 to 2019, prior to the onset of COVID, which disrupted travel. They arrived in significant numbers via direct and chartered flights, along with regular flights.
The CTO, foremost Alvior, has referenced the resumption of direct flights from Korea on multiple occasions. Nevertheless, as of today, they have yet to occur.
Cruise and MICE tourism
The CTO said Puerto Princesa hosted 13 port calls in the first half of the year, including three maided calls, bringing up 24,651 passengers and crew. Weekly arrivals of cruise ships, it said, are expected from November until March next year.
For MICE tourism, a total o 601 events were recorded from January to June, allegedly drawing 61,423 visitors. These included conventions, corporate meetings, and incentive group tours.
“Mula Enero hanggang Hunyo, umaabot sa 601 na iba’t-ibang mga events ang naitala na ginanap sa lungsod na nagdala, nang may 61,423 na mga bisita para sa kategoriya ng MICE tourism. Sa unang anim na buwan ng taon, tumanggap na ng 13 port of calls ng cruise ship ang Lumsod ng Puerto Princesa, kung saan tatlo sa mga ito ay maiden calls.
Oversight and regulation
To ensure quality services, the CTO stated that it also conducted 651 inspections of tourism-related establishments (TREs), issued 28 notices of violation to van operators and tour guides. The checks covered 257 tourist vans and 141 tourist boats.
Currently, Puerto Princesa has 1,069 accredited TREs, with the number still growing.
The average number of flights per day has increased to 21, the CTO said.
Additionally, the city hosted 20 training sessions for 1,277 industry professionals and provided 1,563 VIP visitors with assistance via welcome receptions and courtesy calls.
Promotion and cultural programs
Indirectly defending itself from allegations it is not promoting Puerto Princesa outside, the CTO said it has already joined three major trade fairs in the country and two road shows in Bohol and Baguio to promote its attractions.
“Bagamat nananatiling top of the mind ang lungsod ng Puerto Princesa bilang isang magandang tourist destination, puspusan pa rin ang pagpupromote nito. Katunayan, sa loob ng anim na buwan, tatlong major trade fairs sa bansa ang sinalihan ng City Tourism Office kung saan isa sa mga ito ay hinirang pang Best Booth Second Runner Up,” the report said.
With 8.4 million organic views and 1.6 million accounts reached via its Facebook page, which now has 92,000 followers, the CTO also boasted about its online presence.
The city’s local inventory, which was submitted to the National Commission on Culture and Arts, now includes 317 properties and historical items thanks to cultural mapping.
The CTO also boasted its online presence, citing 8.4 million organic views and a reach of 1.6 million accounts through its Facebook page, which now has 92,000 followers.
Key figures from January–June 2025
– Total tourist arrivals: 396,890
– 71% domestic tourists
– 29% foreign tourists (top sources: US, France, Germany, Australia, Canada)
– Tourism receipts: ₱2.65 billion
– Average daily spending: ₱7,000 per tourist
– Cruise arrivals: 13 port calls, 24,651 passengers and crew
– MICE tourism: 601 events, 61,423 participants
– Inspections: 651, with 28 violations issued
– Tourism enterprises: 1,069 accredited TREs
– Daily flights: 21 on average
– Trainings conducted: 20 with 1,277 participants
– VIPs assisted: 1,563
– Cultural properties mapped: 317
CTO said the positive gains reflect close coordination among different departments of the local government and the private sector.
Two weeks ago, tourism industry stakeholders questioned how much of this is being felt on the ground. They have long complained that Puerto Princesa is struggling to bring back the vibrancy of its pre-pandemic tourism sector, when more than 1.2 million visitors arrived in 2019.
Business owners and tour operators said the city has increasingly become just a stopover for travelers heading north to El Nido, San Vicente, and Coron.
Vice Mayor Jimbo Maristela told Alvior in a council session over a week ago that many had called his attention regarding this issue.
“Sabi ng mga stakeholder natin sa tourism industry na bagsak ang turismo sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa… Ano po ba ang puwede nating gawin para muli ay maibangon natin ang industriya ng turismo sa Puerto Princesa?” he informed.
