Tourism in Oriental Mindoro experienced mixed results in July 2024, with overall visitor numbers declining despite an increase in international arrivals, according to data released by the provincial tourism office.

The total number of visitors to the province fell 9.73% compared to July 2023, dropping from 37,204 to 33,584.

Domestic arrivals saw the sharpest decline, decreasing 12.45% from 32,045 to 28,055.

However, international visitors bucked the downward trend, rising 7.17% year-over-year from 5,159 to 5,529.

South Korea led foreign markets with 1,100 arrivals, followed by China (554), the United States (351), Russia (99), and France (97).

The provincial tourism office attributed the overall decline to severe weather conditions that affected the region in July.

Despite lower visitor numbers, tourism receipts for July 2024 totaled over P296 million pesos.

Foreign visitors spent an average of $120 per day over an average 5-day stay, while domestic tourists averaged P3,500 pesos daily expenditure for 3-day visits.

The July figures come amid an otherwise strong year for Oriental Mindoro tourism.

Data for January through July 2024 show a 17.94% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023, rising from 285,693 to 336,948.

Visitor arrivals, which include day-trippers, saw even stronger growth of 32.53% for the first seven months of 2024 versus 2023.

Tourism plays a vital role in Oriental Mindoro’s economy, supporting hundreds of jobs across hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors.

Officials hope to build on recent growth to establish the province as a premier destination within the Philippines. (Data and photos courtesy of Oriental Mindoro Tourism Office)