Duty Free Philippines generated a total sales of USD109.2 million last year, an increase of 53 percent growth from its USD67.3 million sales in 2022.
Speaking in front of the media, DFP COO Vicente Pelagio A. Angala presented DFP’s accomplishments, he stated, “We struggled to rise to the occasion but demonstrated our strength and resilience as an organization that can adapt and improve.”
Angala also mentioned that they need to double the efforts to sustain this momentum to reach its target of USD167 million by the end of 2024.
Overseas Filipino workers remain as DFP’s top customers, contributing at least 63 percent in the total 2023 sales, followed by the Chinese (15%), Americans (8%), the Vietnamese (3%), and Malaysians (1%).
Top products such as chocolates and confectionery, liquors, wines, and perfumes experienced a steady increase in sales, while local products contributed USD3.3 million from the total sales, a 312 percent increase from the previous year.
Angala sees that they will further expand its product lines to meet the needs of its customers while featuring more local products to international travelers.
Expressing gratitude to Department of Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia Frasco for her steadfast support, DFP is confidently charting its course towards business recovery. In fact, DFP has started remitting its contributions of Php40 million to DOT from revenue earned in 2023.
To enhance accessibility to Duty Free goods, the agency will launch its online shopping platform by February, while Duty Free LUXE in Mall of Asia, Pasay City will become more accessible to tourists as it will finally be part of the DOT’s Hop-On Hop-Off itinerary.
The agency also resumed its operations in Bacolod, Kalibo, and Iloilo International Airports, with plans for additional stores at Clark Terminal 2 to cater to the growing number of travelers.
“Thank you to all our loyal customers, our modern day heroes, the OFWs, balikbayans, and their families for their love for pasalubong shopping. Indeed, it is our love for family that excites us to experience pasalubong shopping at Duty Free,” said COO Angala.
Duty Free Philippines Corporation is the sole operator of the duty-and tax-free merchandising system for international travelers, balikbayans and OFWs in the country. As an attached agency of the DOT, DFPC contributes its earnings to the development of the country’s tourism programs and projects.