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| Passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Terminal 2 wait at the Departure Area after several domestic flights were canceled on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Michael Varcas/ the Star) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA: The Bureau of Immigration is expecting a 30% increase in arrivals on Thursday, the first day of the country’s reopening of borders to foreign tourists after a nearly two years closure due to the pandemic. BI Operations Division chief Carlos Capulong said they are expecting up to 7,000 arrivals on February 10, a significant increase from the previous day’s record of 4,816, PH Inquirer reported.
The bureau said in a statement that they are projecting that most arrivals would be Filipinos, while 27% will be foreign nationals. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said they expect that among the first wave of tourist arrivals are families, loved ones, and partners of Filipinos. He added that the bureau is projecting that arrivals could rise up to 10,000 to 12,000 per day in the coming months. “Hopefully everything goes well as we transition towards the new normal. We see this as the start of the recovery of the tourism industry which we hope will renew its vigor as in the previous years,” Morente added.
The Philippine government allowed the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from visa-free countries starting February 10, subject to the presentation of required documents that include proof of inoculation. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the country and department are ready to welcome tourists in our shores
