PNoy: PHL likely to breach 4.6M tourist influx goal this year

With 1.8 million foreign tourist arrivals already recorded since January, President Beningno Aquino III said he expects the second half of the year to see an even greater surge of visitors from the rest of the world.
 
"This number (1.8 million) is also 39.6 percent of the 4.6 million tourist arrivals we hope to get this year—and historically, we get even more visitors in the second half of the year. If all goes as planned, it seems that we will achieve, and maybe even breach this target," Aquino said.
 
The President gave these remarks in his address to delegates from the 7th North American Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour.
 
"Tourism is one of the sectors we are paying particular attention to, because it is one in which we can successfully pursue our agenda of inclusive growth, given the multiplier effect on jobs and the amount of money it brings into our country," Aquino said.
 
He claimed that the Pocket Open Skies Policy caused the number of incoming and outgoing flights to rise by 15 percent from January to June this year.
 
Aquino added that underway are investments in key infrastructure that would improve the mobility of tourists such as airports, seaports, and highways. — ELR, GMA News