PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines — Puerto Galera continues to demonstrate a strong tourism recovery and sustained growth after the municipality recorded high tourist arrivals during the first four months of 2026.
Based on data from the Municipal Tourism Office, nearly 150,000 tourist arrivals were recorded from January to April 2026, showing continued growth compared to the same period in 2024 and 2025.
Tourism arrivals in 2026 surpassed the figures recorded in 2025 and showed a significant increase from 2024, reflecting the municipality’s steadily improving tourism performance in recent years.
The highest number of arrivals this year was recorded in April with close to 60,000 visitors, highlighting the continued influx of tourists during the peak summer season.
The latest figures also show a major improvement compared to the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, when travel restrictions and health protocols significantly affected tourism activities nationwide.
Since the gradual reopening of tourism in 2022, Puerto Galera has continued to experience steady growth in visitor arrivals, with tourism numbers consistently improving each year.
Despite ongoing global economic challenges and the effects of the continuing conflict in the Middle East, Puerto Galera’s tourism industry has remained resilient, with travelers continuing to choose the municipality for leisure, adventure, and summer getaways.
According to Vice Mayor Rocky D. Ilagan, the increase in tourist arrivals can be attributed to ongoing infrastructure developments, especially those funded by TIEZA, continuous tourism promotions, major tourism-related events, improved accessibility, and the collaborative efforts of the local government and tourism stakeholders in ensuring a safe, organized, and enjoyable experience for visitors.
Under the leadership of Mayor Robinhood D. Ylagan and the local government unit of Puerto Galera, efforts remain focused on maintaining a meaningful experience, cleanliness, peace and order, and world-class hospitality, key factors that continue to make Puerto Galera a favorite destination among both local and international tourists. (PIO Puerto Galera)
