The Philippine tourism generated over 1 billion U.S. dollars during the first quarter of 2008, the country's Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Tuesday.

"These positive results have laid down the groundwork for another promising year for the industry," the DOT said in a statement released by the Presidential Palace.

The Tourism Department, which sourced its data from arrival and departure cards and shipping manifests, counted 858,244 "arrivals" from January to March this year. The tourists spent a total of 1. 02 billion dollars, the statement said.

"Tourist spending amounted to 1.02 billion dollars, with Korea accounting for the biggest bulk. The Scandinavian region, as well as Germany, Russia, Canada and Hong Kong, registered double-digit gains as shown by their increasing expenditure and length of stay over the previous years," the statement added.

Koreans topped the arrivals in terms of number during the first quarter, with 175,147 Koreans visiting the country, accounting for 20.4 percent of the total tourist arrivals.

The next biggest group came from the United States, with the 166,128 tourists making up 19.4 percent; followed by tourists from Japan at 99,453 (11.6 percent).

Fourth to sixth were the Chinese mainland with 48,619 (5.7 percent); followed by Taiwan with 31,441 (3.7 percent); and Hong Kong, 31,344 (3.7 percent). If lumped together, the Chinese group totals 111,404 (13.1 percent), more than the Japanese tourists.

Australians (30,936 or 3.6 percent), Canadians (29,525 or 3.4 percent) and UK nationals (23,863 or 2.8 percent) comprised the next biggest bulk of tourists, with their arrivals totaling 84,324 (9.8 percent).

In tenth place were the Singaporean tourists at 23,761 (2.8 percent).

To further increase the "tourist spend," the Tourism Department will be launching a Shopping Festival in September, and a Second Home Destination Program in October, according to the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2008)