Manila, March 6 -- The Department of Tourism in Bicol (DOT-5) has recorded a total of 4,435,883 foreign and domestic visitors in the region in 2024.

During the "Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas" on Thursday, Herbie Aguas, DOT-5 regional director, said they reached their tourist arrival target last year and are optimistic about continued growth.

"As of now, in 2025, the arrival of tourists here is looking great. I've been going back and forth to Manila and going to the ports. We are always on full flights, even on our boats, and I see foreigners boarding them. This is really a good sign for the Bicol region, and I think we will surpass last year's tourist arrivals," he said.

Aguas said the tourist gross receipts generated in 2024 was PHP3...