The tourism sector in this province of the Philippines recorded significant gains in 2023, with a nearly 90 percent increase in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year. There, one of the most visited destinations is the underground river of Puerto Princesa, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
In its latest report, the Provincial Tourism Promotions and Development Office (PTPDO) disclosed that a total of 1.527.159 tourists visited Palawan last year, which is markedly higher than the 814.621 visitors recorded in 2022.
Maribel Buñi, head of the Provincial Tourism Promotions and Development Office (PTPDO), said in a press briefing on Thursday that of the total number of visitors, 873.592 were Filipinos and 653.567 were foreign travelers.
The growing Palawan positioning as a global tourist destination has correspondedly promoted the income of the sector, with increased profits almost double in 2023, comparing to 2022. The nomination of the Underground River of Puerto Princesa, as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, has undoubtedly collaborated widely in this positioning.
The top five foreign markets for the province’s tourism industry were the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain.