𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗛 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗕𝗜

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has underscored the importance of strong border security in sustaining the growth of the country’s tourism sector, as foreign tourist arrivals continued to rise during the second quarter of 2026.

According to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, the steady increase in visitor arrivals reflects growing confidence among international travelers in the Philippines as a safe and attractive destination.

“The stronger our border security is, the greater it helps the country’s tourism,” Sandoval said in a recent interview.

BI data showed that tourist arrivals climbed to 1.358 million in April 2026, up from 1.337 million during the same month last year. Arrivals in May also increased from 1.299 million in 2025 to 1.309 million this year.

Despite June traditionally being considered a lean travel season due to the end of holiday periods, the start of the school year, and the rainy season, Sandoval noted that visitor numbers continue to grow. She added that arrivals typically level off during the third quarter before experiencing a significant surge in the final quarter of the year.

South Korea remains the Philippines’ top source of foreign visitors in 2026, followed by the United States, Canada, Japan, and China. Sandoval said these countries have consistently ranked among the Philippines’ leading tourism markets, while the Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to explore new international markets beyond the ASEAN region.

The BI and DOT are also working closely together by sharing arrival data to help develop targeted tourism promotion strategies and attract more foreign travelers to the country.

𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗚𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱

Sandoval emphasized that the BI’s mandate to protect the country’s borders complements, rather than conflicts with, the government’s “Love the Philippines” tourism campaign.

She noted that travelers are more likely to visit destinations where they feel safe and secure, making effective border management an important factor in tourism growth.

“Tourists want to know that our country is safe, our borders are secure, and that we have the right technologies in place to monitor those entering and leaving the country,” she said.

𝗣𝟭𝟬.𝟳𝟰-𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁

To further strengthen border security, the BI is pursuing a P10.74-billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project aimed at modernizing border control operations across 11 major airports, one international seaport, and six border stations nationwide.

The Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) project will introduce contactless corridors, biometric facial recognition systems, immigration kiosks, and advanced passenger pre-screening technologies. The initiative is designed to comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and global best practices in aviation and border security.

The BI said the modernization effort reflects its commitment to continuously improving immigration services and building a more efficient, secure, and traveler-friendly border management system aligned with the country’s broader development goals.